Sustainability Shift – Episode 7: Toward a New European Deal: Green? Competitive? Or both?

Is Europe ready to strike a balance between sustainability and competitiveness? In this episode of Sustainability Shift, we tackle one of the most pressing challenges shaping the future of the chemical industry: how to reconcile the ambitions of the EU Green Deal and its unprecedented legislative push with the need for a globally competitive and innovative industry. Set against the backdrop of the 2024–2029 legislative term, we delve into the challenges and opportunities posed by evolving regulations, and the industry call for enhanced competitiveness. Through an insightful discussion, our experts explore the balance between policy goals, and industrial resilience in shaping a low carbon, circular, and globally competing European economy.

Key Terms

EU Green Deal: A package of ambitious policy initiatives with the ultimate goal fo reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The program supports disruptive measures across economic sectors covering energy, transport, industry, agriculture, sustainable finance and more.

Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD): A holistic innovation framework guiding the development of chemicals and materials that prioritize safety, sustainability, and lifecycle impacts.

REACH: The Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) is the main EU law to protect human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.

CLP Regulation: The EU’s Classification, Labelling, and Packaging Regulation, which defines hazard classifications and safety measures for chemicals, expanding to address emerging risks such as endocrine disruptors and persistent substances.

ESPR: EU legislation aimed at promoting sustainability by establishing design requirements for products to improve their energy efficiency, durability, repairability, and recyclability, supporting a circular economy.

Double Twin Transition: The simultaneous pursuit of climate neutrality, zero pollution, and circular economy goals alongside digital transformation within the chemical industry.

Antwerp Declaration: A collective call by European industries, including the chemical sector, urging policymakers to foster sustainable competitiveness and secure economic resilience.