Climate change and other environment-related challenges, the need to ensure a fair green transition, energy independence and enhanced competitiveness of net-zero industries, technological sovereignty, and the need to increase defence spending and secure Europe’s open strategic autonomy, as well as demographic changes and the development of digitalisation, including artificial intelligence, algorithmic management, the platform economy and teleworking are deeply transforming economies and societies in the Union. The Union and its Member States should work together to effectively and proactively address such structural developments and adapt existing systems as needed, recognising the close interdependence of the Member States’ economies and labour markets, and related policies. That requires coordinated, ambitious and effective policy action at both Union and national levels, while recognising the role of social partners, in accordance with the TFEU and with the provisions of Union law on economic governance, taking into account the European Pillar of Social Rights. Such policy action should encompass a boost in sustainable investment across all Union regions, a renewed commitment to appropriately sequenced reforms and investments that enhance sustainable and inclusive economic growth, skills, the promotion of quality jobs, productivity, competitiveness, fair working conditions, social and territorial cohesion, upward socioeconomic convergence, resilience and the exercise of fiscal responsibility. Support should be provided from existing Union funding programmes, and in particular the Recovery and Resilience Facility established by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the cohesion policy funds, including the European Social Fund Plus established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the European Regional Development Fund governed by Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as the Social Climate Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2023/955 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Just Transition Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Policy action should combine supply-side and demand-side measures, while taking into account the economic, environmental, employment and social impact of such measures.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
