Water is a vital resource. However, it is becoming increasingly scarce due to the climate crisis. Not only humans and nature, but also sectors such as agriculture, energy and the textile industry need large quantities. To find solutions to the major challenges we face, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling for a Blue Deal for the EU. Modelled on the EU Green Deal, the intention is to create a European strategy to ensure good management of the "blue gold" for people, the economy and our planet.

18 September 2023 marks the eighth anniversary of the diesel scandal, one of the biggest environmental scandals of recent decades. Despite the far-reaching consequences, even after eight years, "Dieselgate" has not been fully dealt with, neither in all Member States nor in the institutions of the European Union. As a recent study by the Chamber of Labour shows, Austria is even more affected than originally assumed. Where does the processing of the scandal stand after eight years in the EU and the Member States?

The Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB European Office), the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Daseinsgewerkschaft (Younion) are pleased to cordially invite you to our event "EU Blue Deal — a plan for the future of our water".

Heavy-duty vehicles – lorries and buses – are responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions from road transport and account for 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the climate targets, the Commission therefore also wants to tighten the existing CO2 standards for manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 and extend them to almost all heavy-duty vehicle segments.

The European Semester Spring Package was presented on 25 May 2023, which, according to the European Commission, shall secure the EU's long-term prosperity, competitiveness, equity and resilience. There are good approaches, such as the promotion of women and disadvantaged groups in the labour market. However, a fair transition in which no one is left behind is still far from becoming a reality.

Around 6% of total EU GHG emissions, more than 25% of emissions from road transport and huge dependence on imported fossil fuels: The climate footprint of heavy-duty vehicles highlights the need for action. The proposal to tighten CO2 standards for new heavy-duty vehicles is not only the EU Commission's response to the almost steady increase in transport emissions since 2014; it is also intended to strengthen competitiveness of European manufactures and reduce energy dependency. However, successful decarbonisation needs a more comprehensive approach.

After the controversial inclusion of gas and nuclear energy as sustainable economic activities under the Taxonomy Regulation last year, the concretisation of the regulation is picking up speed again. Currently, the EU Commission is discussing the further development and expansion of environmentally sustainable aspects of the classification system. Social sustainability is still not an issue.

The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is over 30 years old and is now being revised as part of the EU REFIT process. The objective of the Directive is to protect the environment from harmful effects caused by discharges of urban wastewater and wastewater from certain industries. This has already been achieved successfully in the past 30 years and water quality in rivers, lakes, and seas has improved considerably. The revision of the Directive is intended to filter even more substances from wastewater in the future in order to protect the environment and human health.

In October 2022, the European Commission published its proposal for the revision of the Urban Waste Water Directive as part of the EU REFIT process. The 30-year-old Directive is to be adapted to the latest state of the art technology, current challenges of the climate crisis and the Green Deal. AK supports the project, but also points out necessary improvements.

To support climate neutrality by 2050, a proposal for a Net-Zero Industry Act has recently been presented by the EU Commission as part of the Industrial Plan for the Green Deal. To ensure that the EU remains competitive and does not fall behind economies such as the US or China concerning the green transition, an effective European industrial policy for renewable energy and climate-neutral production is needed.