A European Single Market for the Future

About

The Single Market is a key lever to enable and promote the environmental and social transitions, as well as to strengthen the EU’s economic resilience. To achieve this potential, however, a radical shift in focus is required. This policy brief suggests a new social and environmental pact for the Single Market, based on systemic quality: quality of product, of work and of life. This pact can bring together employers interested in quality products, workers and trade unions championing dignified labour conditions and NGOs and citizens advocating for a better quality of life and sustainable climate practices. By piloting the pact in three areas – circular economy, green industrial policy and public procurement – first concrete steps can be taken.

Contributors

• Philippe Pochet, GEF fellow and core expert to this Knowledge Community. In the past, he held the position of Director of the Observatoire Social Européen (OSE) for over 15 years. From 2008 to 2023, he served as the General Director of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). Currently, he is a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. He also holds the position of Affiliate Professor at Sant’Anna School of advanced studies, Pisa. Next to the topic of the Single Market, Philippe is also collaborating with GEF on Climate Emergency and Welfare States.
• Taube Van Melkebeke, Head of Policy at the Green European Foundation (GEF). She leads the different Knowledge Communities of the foundation. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.