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Corporate Leaders Groups

Business leadership for a climate neutral economy
 
Eliot speaking

The Green Growth Partnership (GGP) is a joint initiative between members of CLG Europe and ministers of the Green Growth Group (GGG).  It brings together ministers from European governments, businesses and members of the European Parliament to discuss and debate political and business action enabling the transition to a prosperous and climate neutral economy, the benefits associated with this transition and the obstacles to overcome.

 

In 2013, a group of like-minded EU energy, climate and environment ministers formed an informal grouping – the ministerial Green Growth Group. The ministers agreed that business and public engagement should be a key part of their work and reached out to the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) to form a Green Growth Platform. In 2019, the Green Growth Platform transitioned towards a Green Growth Partnership between CLG Europe and the GGG, thereby reinforcing the pro-climate action consensus between business and governments. The objectives of the partnership are to foster mutual understanding between business and policy makers of the role of European business in the rapid transition to a climate neutral economy, the policy environment to best support this, and how collaborative and best practice approaches can be highlighted in public debate on these issues.

The aspiration to end the EU’s contribution to climate change by achieving the transition towards a climate neutral European economy is rapidly gaining momentum among EU member states and business. Delivering on it will require economy-wide and society-wide changes and addressing emissions from all economic sectors. By adopting a cross sectoral approach throughout the whole economy, the Green Growth Partnership draws on latest thought-leadership and high quality evidence to promote innovative and forward looking policies and business models. The partnership works primarily through a combination of high-level meetings and events, including the annual Green Growth Summit, roundtables and private dinners.

The partnership is acknowledged as a credible and influential forum to explore, promote and pursue the economic and strategic case for an economic transformation in response to climate change. It has discussed such topics as: The EU long term emissions reduction strategy, the energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe, National Energy and Climate plans, the development of a new EU climate and energy package and EU energy union, the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System and ensuring compliance with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The funding for this project comes from a combination of business funding and support from European governments. The positions of the Partnership or its constituent groups do not represent the policies or positions of CISL or the wider University of Cambridge.


The work of the Green Growth Partnership is supported by expert knowledge and thought leadership.

Current members of the ministerial Green Growth Group include:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom

CLG Europe members include:

Acciona, Coca-Cola European partners, DSM, EDF, Iberdrola, Interface, Signify, Stora Enso, Unilever, United Technologies (full members)

Anglian Water, GSK, Heathrow, INGKA/IKEA, Sky, Tesco, Thames Water (affiliate members)


Past reports and advice are published below:

The energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe

Green Growth Group Joint Pamphlet

Report to Ministers – Low Carbon Energy Union

Low Carbon Energy Union Infographic

Industrial Demand Side

Industrial Low-Carbon Innovation

Financing a Low Carbon Energy Union

Financing the Global Low Carbon Transition