Competitiveness is key to make the green transition a just one |
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| There will be no successful green transition without competitiveness and companies that have the means to invest in technologies and human capital. |
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| This was BusinessEurope’s message at the European Conference for a Just Transition on 4 March, organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Deputy Director General Alexandre Affre emphasised the need for Europe to prioritise growth and industry to ensure competitiveness and a successful green transition. Acknowledging the diverse impacts on society and industries, he stressed the need for collaboration among policymakers, employers and workers. European businesses are ready to take their share of the responsibility, they have already been transforming their operations and engaging in massive investments. While recognising the challenges ahead, Affre underlined the importance of efficient |
| financing for the green transition and urged a focus on implementing existing legislation. The priority must be to ensure the effective roll-out of the adopted legislations and, as much as possible, on simplification of rules. Additionally, Social Affairs Director Maxime Cerutti highlighted the critical role of managing employment and skills in the transition. Job tasks and the skills content of jobs are impacted by the changing modes of production. This calls for education, training, employment, and social protection policies to adapt our workforce to the green transition. Cerutti also underlined the importance of upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce in the context of growing labour and skills shortages. |
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Discussing Transatlantic relations |
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| Our Executive Committee discussed the state of Transatlantic relations with the US Ambassador to the EU Mark Gitenstein. During the discussion we reiterated the importance of: the Trade and Technology Council as a platform for structured dialogue and cooperation; addressing trade irritants and trying to accomplish results before the elections, for example, a critical minerals agreement; renewing efforts to reduce the costs of doing business across the Atlantic, for instance, through the mutual recognition of conformity assessments in the clean tech area. |
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Trade as an economic growth engine |
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| In a meeting with Sabine Weyand, Director General of DG Trade, the Chair of BusinessEurope International Relations Committee Pat Ivory highlighted the importance of openness and a conducive environment for trade and investment as key for the competitiveness of European businesses. Access to new markets and more sources of supply of critical raw materials will remain vital for a successful strategy to mitigate increasing geopolitical risk . |
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Key publication: Joint statement on the Single Market |
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| As part of our continued dialogue with the European institutions, we have issued a joint statement with DigitalEurope, Eurochambres, EuroCommerce, European Round Table for Industry (ERT), and SMEunited, urging EU institutions to break down barriers to cross-border trade and investment in the EU. We highlighted that “the inability to establish a true Single Market hampers competitiveness, digitalisation, and the resilience of businesses in the EU. It undermines the green transition and falls short in delivering opportunities and growth for the benefit of consumers and workers.” |
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"By 2025, we urge the introduction of concrete reduction targets on compliance costs and designing a dedicated programme with regular evaluations to achieve this."
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer, in his letter to Pierre-Yves Dermagne ahead of this week’s EU Competitiveness Council |
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Key messages to the EU Competitiveness Council on 7 March 2023
1 March
Read our letter |
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Proposal for a Regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
26 February
Read our letter |
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