The 2021 Green Growth Summit took place virtually on 5 October at a crucial time when the EU and its partners have the unique opportunity to transform their economies and societies to adequately respond to the climate emergency while providing economic and social benefits in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the context of the Fit for 55 Package presented by the European Commission in the summer and in run-up to COP26, the Summit brought together high-level representatives from EU member states, the European institutions, business, and experts in the following sessions:
Fireside Chat: ‘Fast forward – Society and the economy in 2030’
Session 1: ‘A transformational change for climate, people and the economy - Can the Fit for 55 Package deliver?’
Session 2: ‘The road to COP 26 – How can the EU contribute to a successful outcome?’
Read the summary note of the discussions here.
Overview
14.15-14.30 (CET): Fireside Chat: ‘Fast forward – Society and the economy in 2030’
Taking a forward-looking approach, speakers presented their views on what a climate friendly, resource efficient, prosperous and ideal society and economy should look like in 2030 and what needs to be done to turn this utopia into reality. Speakers:
- Clare Shine, Director and CEO, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
- Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
14.30-16.00 (CET): Session 1: ‘A transformational change for climate, people and the economy - Can the Fit for 55 Package deliver?’
This session explored the Fit for 55 Package and how it can put the EU on the right track to achieve the necessary transformational change to achieve its climate objectives, tap into the potential economic benefits of increased climate action and ensure a just transition.
Speakers:
- Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President, European Commission (video message)
- Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Finland (video message)
- Andrej Vizjak, Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Slovenia
- Carole Dieschbourg, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Luxembourg
- Annika Jacobson, State Secretary to Minister for Environment and Climate and Deputy Prime Minister Per Bolund, Sweden
- Pascal Canfin, Member of the European Parliament
- Rafael Mateo Alcalá, Chief Executive Officer, Acciona Energía
- Annette Stube, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Stora Enso
- Petr Vítek, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Change for the Better, Czech Republic
- Wendel Trio, Director, Climate Action Network Europe
- Doru Mitrana, Program Director, Sustainability Embassy Romania
- Eliot Whittington, Director, CLG Europe and the Green Growth Partnership (Chair).
16.05-17.05 (CET): Session 2: ‘The road to COP 26 – How can the EU contribute to a successful outcome?’
Building on the previous session, speakers addressed how the EU can arrive in a leadership position at COP26, incentivise other partners to increase their climate ambition and work with them to increase climate action at global level.
Speakers:
- Matt Toombs, Director of Partnerships and Engagement, COP26 Unit, UK Cabinet Office
- Dimitrios Zevgolis, Deputy Acting Head of Unit, International and Mainstreaming and Policy Coordination, European Commission
- Mathias Fischer, State Secretary, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway
- Kaja Tael, Ambassador at Large for Climate and Energy Policy, Estonia
- Jytte Guteland, Member of the European Parliament
- Keith Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, ScottishPower
- Sophie Punte, Managing Director of Policy, We Mean Business Coalition
- Joanne Yawitch, CEO, National Business Initiative
- Thomas Lingard, Global Climate & Environment Director, Unilever
- Eliot Whittington, Director, CLG Europe and the Green Growth Partnership (Chair).
followed by a summary and concluding remarks by Clare Shine.
For any questions, please contact the team at CISL.BrusselsOffice@cisl.cam.ac.uk
