Collaboration to Transform Businesses for a Sustainable Europe
At CSR Europe’s annual Public Affair Meeting, hosted on 11 February, stakeholders recognized the key role of collaboration in achieving the ambitions of the Green Deal. According to Jakob W. Friis, Commissioner Gentiloni’s Deputy Head of Cabinet, increased efforts by member states, regions, civil society will be key to implement the Green Deal in the short term. For this reason, CSR Europe will inaugurate the European Pact for Sustainable Industry at the European Business Summit 2020, on 10-11 June. Register Now
On February 11, CSR Europe’s annual Public Affairs Meeting brought together representatives from the EU Institutions, companies, sector federations, and civil society to discuss the Commission’s sustainability-oriented growth strategy.
Participants were welcome by Comte Etienne Davignon, CSR Europe President, and delved deep into key topics on the EU agenda, including the latest on the Green Deal, and its perception from industry representatives, investors and civil society. At the same time, the Pact for Sustainable Industry (P4SI) was presented.
Jakob W. Friis, Commissioner Gentiloni’s Deputy Head of Cabinet, opened the first panel on the Commission’s upcoming initiatives for industry, finance, skills, and circular economy. According to Friis, what is most needed in the short term is increased efforts in the implementation of the Green Deal by member states, regions, civil society. At the same time, Manuela Geleng, Director - DG EMPL, and Crispin Waymouth, Deputy Head of Unit -DG GROW, highlighted how skills and digitalization will be key in making or breaking the Green Deal. Policymakers are tailoring their strategies adopting a sectorial and cross-sectorial approach in order to deliver impact. This is particularly true for what concerns Circular Economy and plastics, pointed out William Neale, Adviser - DG ENV.
Sector associations, investors and civil society took the floor in the second panel to share their perspective on the green transition. Representatives of the banking sectors, such as Constance Kann, Director of Institutional Relations and Public Affairs of the European Investment Bank, and Raymond Frenken, Director of Communication at the European Banking Federation, stressed the important role of sustainable finance in guiding the transition for businesses.
The issue is not only financing the Green Deal, but how to protect people and jobs during the transition. According to James Watson, Secretary-General of Eurogas, these are two important topics that will interest the gas industry and its future developments. Lonne Poissonnier, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Concord, also highlighted the importance of an inclusive, fair and just approach in achieving the Green Deal.
Two months after its publication, the focus is now on how to facilitate collaboration to achieve the ambitious initiatives of the Green Deal in the next years. CSR Europe is at the forefront of business transformation and will lead this process with its European Pact for Sustainable Industry.
This Pact will be officially launched at CSR Europe and EBS’ Summit “Transforming Business for A Sustainable Europe” planned for 10-11 June 2020.
For more information:
Discover CSR Europe’s Collaborative Platforms
Senior Advisor
EU Senior Project Manager