EN | FR | DE | 31.07.2010
Greens/Efa Group


A Green New Deal for Europe

 

Europe and the world are in the midst of a series of crises: economic, environmental, and social injustice. Massive financial measures are taken, mostly at national level, to sustain existing industries (e.g. cars) and domestic expenditure along unchanged patterns. This carries a major risk: perpetuating obsolete production and consumption patterns, and failing to seize the opportunity to transform our economies to meet the new economic reality.

A Green New Deal is necessary to overcome these crises. We have an opportunity to tackle the environmental challenges we are facing by promoting a shift to a sustainable economy, with lasting social and employment benefits. A Green New Deal can transform our economy and promote an industrial conversion and behaviour change. But the finality of any industrial conversion and economic restructuring is to decrease pressure on the environment and consequently to increase quality of life for all. For the Greens, a successful Green New Deal is a Social Green New Deal, where citizens can find decent work, with decent conditions, protected by strong social rights and standards. If the Green New Deal doesn't live for people, it doesn't live.

This section provides information on the Green New Deal, including related statistics on existing and potential jobs in existing green sectors.

You can also click on the images in the right-hand column to see our related Green New Deal events and publications.

New - the Wuppertal Institute report commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group has been re-issued by the Green European Foundation. Click the link below.

Transport28.05.2009

Logo Mobility

Transport

Greening the oil-dependent transport sector can significantly reduce harmful CO2 emissions, improve quality of life and create new green jobs

Road transport accounts for 74% of CO2 emissions. Sustainability in the transport sector will require a shift from oil-dependant vehicles to less carbon intensive and more environmentally-friendly modes of transport like rail, public transit, cycling or walking.

Energy efficiency28.05.2009

House insulation

Energy efficiency

Energy-efficient measures in the building sector

Buildings represent 40% of energy consumption in Europe. According to the Commission's own research, there is an energy saving potential of 27% for residential buildings and 30% for commercial buildings by 2020.

Renewable sources of energy28.05.2009

World Energy Solutions - Switch to Green Power

Renewable sources of energy

Using renewable sources of energy reduces consumer's bills, helps protect the environment and creates jobs

Achieving the EU's binding target of a 20% share of energy from renewable sources would double that figure, leading to 2.8 million jobs in the sector. However, the Greens want the EU to go further. This would lead to hundreds of thousands of additional jobs by 2020.

Wind power28.05.2009

Clean planet - Copyright: Eva Serrabassa

Wind power

The wind industry offers many opportunities in terms of employment

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) estimates that there were 108,600 jobs directly related to wind energy in the EU-27 in 2007. By 2030, that number could reach 375,000.

Photovoltaic power28.05.2009

Solar panelled building - Copyright: Kelvin Wakefield

Solar power

Using the sun's power to generate electricity

The development and use of solar power has significant potential in the context of a Green New Deal. It can offer important social benefits in terms of job creation.

Green projects28.05.2009

Sunflower

Green projects

A selection of green projects in EU Member states

The Green New Deal is not just wishful thinking. The green industry today employs hundreds of thousands of people and offers huge job creation potential for the future. Here is a selection of active projects in several countries.

 

green jigsaw - copyright: lilly3

Documents

Key documents relating to green jobs

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GND 3 March poster right column
GEF GND cover right column
Green Deal for Greener Cities - 4th European Green local councillors meeting
The Green New Deal  © Lilly
Green new deal workshop © Klaas Lingbeek- van Kranen