Sustainability For Business Value & Market Leadership

Context

Competitiveness has become a defining priority for the EU amid intensified global competition and geopolitical tensions. However, restoring competitiveness must not come at the expense of sustainability but rather leverage it as a catalyst for innovation, efficiency, and long-term market leadership.

As the regulatory framework continues to evolve, companies face growing complexity but also new opportunities. Unlocking the full business value of sustainability requires a clear roadmap that aligns corporate strategies with policy frameworks, fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration, and creates new market incentives for sustainable business models—instead of treating sustainability as a compliance burden.

The 2025 European Sustainable Industry Summit will bring together companies, policymakers, and civil society to explore how sustainability can create tangible business benefits and competitive advantages, reinforcing Europe’s industrial leadership on the global scene.

Who should attend

• CEOs/C-Suite Level Representatives

• Sustainability Officers

• EU Policymakers

• Civil Society Organizations

About the High-Level Plenary

Following the insights of the Draghi Report, the European Commission has unveiled several initiatives (e.g., Competitiveness Compass, Omnibus Simplification Package and Clean Industrial Deal) aimed at streamlining business operations, amplifying investments for the green transition and boosting manufacturing capacities in green technologies.

This high-level plenary seeks to enrich the debate on fostering an environment where companies can thrive while being rewarded for their sustainability efforts. Speakers will explore pathways and tools to establish a long-term investment agenda, trusted partnerships, and concrete market opportunities that promote circular and net-zero solutions.

To leverage the full potential of the EU competitiveness agenda, the session will emphasise the following key priorities:

• boost the demand for sustainable products

• align on consumers’ needs

• include more sustainability criteria in public procurement

• foster international trade and partnerships

The focus will be on addressing the tension between short-term profitability and sustainability through well- designed policies that provide tangible economic incentives to reshape market dynamics, ultimately shifting from compliance to a business-driven approach that will unlock value and enhance competitiveness.

Europe’s industries stand at a critical crossroads—as global competition intensifies and regulations tighten, sustainability is no longer optional; it is a financial and strategic imperative. Companies that successfully integrate ESG, circular economy models, and diversity-driven leadership will gain a decisive market edge.

Over two days, C-suite executives, investors, EU policymakers, and industry experts will exchange knowledge, tackle challenges, and explore market-driven solutions that fuel business growth while advancing Europe’s leadership in sustainability.

This is the only open CSR Europe event of the year—a rare opportunity to engage with top sustainability leaders, gain exclusive insights, and position your company at the forefront of Europe’s sustainable transformation.