AK sees the risk that the current high standards for water could be watered down if the Water Framework Directive (WFD) were to be reviewed. Austria’s experience shows that the WFD is in itself a good instrument to protect water as a resource. Therefore, AK argues that the WFD is “fit for purpose” for the comprehensive and preventive protection of water. It has to be retained in its current form in the interest of water as a public good and public service. Instead, action is needed in other fields to effectively support the aims of the Water Framework Directive.

The social legislation for HGV and bus drivers is one of the most controversial EU Dossiers of recent years. The Transport Committee of the EU Parliament confirmed the compromises so far at the votes on 19 and 24 September. The trilogue negotiations between European Parliament, Commission and Council and shall start in October – it should be the last stage within the framework of the EU legislative process.

During the coming months, the European Commission will focus more and more on climate change and the necessary changes within society associated with it. Important in the AK’s opinion is that all people will be positively affected within the framework of a so-called “just transition”. To achieve this, it is crucial not to lose sight of the social aspects of climate change.

Since Ursula von der Leyen was elected new Commission president, she has been underlining her priority for a sustainable climate policy. An important lever to achieve this is the future EU budget 2021-2027, which has to be adopted by the end of 2020 at the latest. For this purpose, AK Europa and ÖGB Europabüro hosted an event on 9th September to discuss the question, which contribution the EU budget can make in the fight against climate change.

AK EUROPA and ÖGB Europabüro cordially invite you to the following event:

Event jointly organised by AK EUROPA and ÖGB Europabüro on 9 September 2019:

Europe climate-neutral by 2050: What contribution can the EU-budget make in the fight against climate change?

Presentation by Margit Schratzenstaller

(Austrian Institute of Economic Research WIFO)

At the beginning of 2019, the European Commission presented a reflection paper, in which it elaborates as to how the goals for sustainable development and the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, formulated by the United Nations are to be fulfilled within the scope of the EU 2020 targets. Even though many ideas are to be welcomed there are still some gaps in the presented roadmap of the ‘sustainability turn’ from the AK’s point of view.

On 16th April, the climate activist Greta Thunberg gave a speech in the EU Parliament, in which she demanded more cooperation and actions by the decision-makers in the European Union to avert the imminent climate crisis. The forthcoming EU elections provide an opportunity to put the climate problem on top of the agenda.

For almost two years, the European Parliament has been negotiating social legislation for lorry and bus drivers. There have been no fewer than six votes in Parliament to achieve a compromise with majority appeal in plenary on April 4th 2019.

Eight percent of all households in the EU are unable to keep their homes warm. This shows that energy poverty is by no means a fringe issue. Hence, the EU institutions are required to take effective measures during the coming legislative period to ensure that energy remains accessible to all Europeans.