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Business leadership for a climate neutral economy
 
Green Growth Partnership

In 2020, the Green Growth Partnership organised a a series of events on ‘Greening the economic recovery in line with climate neutrality: From commitments to action’.

 

Webinar recordings


Launch webinar: Greening the economic recovery in line with climate neutrality: From commitments to action - Thursday 16 July, 14.00-16.00 (CET)

Organised in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), this virtual event launched key priorities of the German Presidency, with a focus on climate. Panellists exchanged insights on how to combine economic recovery and climate objectives, including climate neutrality by 2050 and an increased 2030 target, in a way that enables a successful transition towards a climate neutral, resilient and prosperous European economy. The event took place one day prior to the European Council meeting which will discuss the EU’s economic recovery plan.

The session brought together government, MEPs and high-level business representatives, ending with a Q&A. You can watch the recording below.

The Green Growth Partnership is a joint initiative between members of CLG Europe and ministers of the Green Growth Group (GGG). CLG Europe is convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

Speakers included:

  • João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment and Energy Transition, Portugal.
  • Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany
  • Pascal Canfin, Member of the European Parliament
  • Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of the European Parliament
  • Miriam Dalli, Member of the European Parliament
  • Hanneke Faber, President, Foods & Refreshment, Unilever
  • Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera, Director of Climate Change, Iberdrola, Vice-President of the Spanish Green Growth Group
  • Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public and Government Affairs, Signify, and CLG Europe Chair
  • Martin Porter, Executive Chair, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

 

Please find the summary note here.

 

 

 

Webinar 2: The EU's 2030 climate target: policies & business action to deliver the 55%. - Thursday 8 October, 10:00-12:00 (CET)

As the European Council prepares to discuss the 2030 target, this second webinar addressed the benefits associated with aiming for a higher target and obstacles to overcome for its implementation, the policy and business action that will ensure that this target is met in practice and consistent with greening Europe’s economic recovery, and how the cooperation between the EU and partners such as Norway can increase climate action on the continent.

The dynamic for a higher 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reductions target has accelerated in recent weeks. The European Commission presented a 2030 target action plan with measures to achieve a target of at least 55%, on the basis of an Impact Assessment, while the European Parliament’s Environment Committee adopted a target of 60% during a recent plenary vote. Recognising the economic benefits of aiming for a higher target, the support for more climate ambition is also increasing among business and investors across Europe with more than 170 of them calling on EU and national leaders to endorse a target of at least 55%.

Speakers included:

  • Sveinung Rotevatn, Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway
  • Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Austria
  • Nils Torvalds, Member of the European Parliament
  • Fredrick Federley, Member of the European Parliament
  • Mirella Vitale, Senior Vice President, Group Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs, ROCKWOOL International A/S
  • Casper Klynge, Vice President for European Government Affairs, Microsoft
  • Sabine Nallinger, Chairwoman, Stiftung 2 Grad
  • Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome
  • Wendel Trio, Director of CAN Europe
  • Eliot Whittington (Chair), Director, CLG Europe and the Green Growth Partnership.

 

Please find the summary note here.

 

 

 

Webinar 3: Shifting into higher gear: How to decarbonise road transport in line with climate neutrality and Europe's recovery? - Tuesday 10 November, 15:00-17:00 (CET)

Road transport will need to significantly accelerate its decarbonisation for the EU to achieve its climate objectives and, if managed correctly, could have a key role in Europe’s economic recovery. The European Commission estimates that transport-related greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 90% by 2050 for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and is preparing several measures to address this challenge. These upcoming proposals include a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, a possible extension of the ETS to road transport, stronger CO2 standards for cars and vans and revision of the Directive on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. For their part, Member States have been integrating transport related initiatives in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and their economic stimulus plans. Recognising the economic benefits of increased climate action, businesses also intend to play their part including by adopting science-based targets consistent with the Paris climate objectives, replacing fossil fuels and transitioning to EVs.

This high-level Green Growth Partnership (GGP) webinar explores how to decarbonise the road transport sector in line with climate neutrality and a higher 2030 target, and the associated benefits of achieving this objective in the context of greening the EU’s economic recovery.

Speakers included:

  • Terhi Lehtonen, State Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Finland
  • Pilvi Torsti, State Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finland
  • Blaž Košorok, State Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure, Slovenia
  • Clara De La Torre, Deputy Director-General, DG CLIMA, European Commission
  • Angela Hultberg, Head of Sustainable Mobility, Ingka Group/ IKEA
  • Manfred Schuckert, Head of Emissions and Safety Commercial Vehicles, Daimler
  • Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director, Vehicles & Emobility, Transport & Environment
  • Martin Porter (Chair), Executive Chair, CISL Brussels

 

Please find the summary note here.