A sustainable future for European industry

On 4 March 2022, the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Commission hosted a conference on A sustainable future for European industry.

Europe's industrial fabric is at the heart of our/the backbone of its economies: it generates wealth, it creates jobs and it fuels our welfare systems. Since the beginning of the health crisis, many companies have been struggling to tackle unprecedented challenges and find creative ways to reinvent themselves, build resilience and survive. This transformation is crucial, especially in dealing with the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This hybrid event looked into civil society's contribution towards rebuilding a sustainable and green digital Europe – a Europe that does not lose sight of long-term growth and investment strategies, but at the same time ensures fairness and leaves no one behind.

EESC President Christa Schweng opened the conference, with key note speeches by Commissioner Thierry Breton and the French presidency of the Council of the EU. It will be organised in two panels focussing on reconciling strategic autonomy with sustainability, and on civil society's role in unleashing a strong industrial policy for Europe's green and digital transition. The conference ended with closing remarks from European Vice-President Margrethe Vestager.

This event was organised in the context of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Context

Between June 2021 and March 2022 the EESC organised a series of events on the updated new industrial strategy, announced by the European Commission on 5 May 2021. The main objective of these events was to hear the view of civil society organisations on the future of European industry. Each event focused on a specific aspect of the strategy from the role of critical raw materials to industry's role to achieve the Green Deal, from Europe's competitiveness on the global stage to a truly Just Transition and public & private investments.

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.           

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