Rapporteur Talks

The outbreak of the corona pandemic has posed a serious threat to European industry in both the short and long term, from disruption of supply chains due to transport and travel restrictions, to the loss of suppliers. Most industrial companies report substantial falls in numbers of orders placed or order cancellations. Due to a mix of a weak global economy and uncertainty in business, society and politics, many companies are lacking not only liquidity but also the necessary planning security for future innovations and investments.

Businesses are now facing three transition processes: the digital transformation, the move to a sustainable economic system, and surviving the corona crisis. For a successful recovery, a stable and predictable environment for long-term sustainable growth must be re-established as quickly as possible. Individual nations going it alone, border closures and protectionist measures undertaken by EU Member States at the beginning of the pandemic questioned Europe's ability to find a common response to the crisis. But the Commission's EUR 750 billion Recovery Fund announced in May was a strong statement which now must be converted into sustainable success.

The outbreak of the corona pandemic has posed a serious threat to European industry in both the short and long term, from disruption of supply chains due to transport and travel restrictions, to the loss of suppliers. Most industrial companies report substantial falls in numbers of orders placed or order cancellations. Due to a mix of a weak global economy and uncertainty in business, society and politics, many companies are lacking not only liquidity but also the necessary planning security for future innovations and investments.

Businesses are now facing three transition processes: the digital transformation, the move to a sustainable economic system, and surviving the corona crisis. For a successful recovery, a stable and predictable environment for long-term sustainable growth must be re-established as quickly as possible. Individual nations going it alone, border closures and protectionist measures undertaken by EU Member States at the beginning of the pandemic questioned Europe's ability to find a common response to the crisis. But the Commission's EUR 750 billion Recovery Fund announced in May was a strong statement which now must be converted into sustainable success.

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised questions about the fragility of our food supply, putting food security back on the agenda. Coupled with the on-going threat of climate change, agriculture has a crucial role to play to ensure European food remains safe, nutritious, affordable and plentiful. To achieve this, farmers will need help to mitigate and adapt to current threats. Access to the best science and innovation will be key.

Many stakeholders believe that the Commission’s implementation of the recently published Farm to Fork strategy and biodiversity strategy must acknowledge the importance of the application of innovation in agriculture if they are to truly contribute to fighting and mitigating climate change. Seeing agriculture as part of the solution, not just the problem, can help make the most efficient use of precious natural resources.

Policymakers and industry must work together to help farmers build a stronger and more resilient agricultural economy. Investment in innovation will certainly help. But a strong commitment from industry to set and achieve targets can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable EU agricultural sector.

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised questions about the fragility of our food supply, putting food security back on the agenda. Coupled with the on-going threat of climate change, agriculture has a crucial role to play to ensure European food remains safe, nutritious, affordable and plentiful. To achieve this, farmers will need help to mitigate and adapt to current threats. Access to the best science and innovation will be key.

Many stakeholders believe that the Commission’s implementation of the recently published Farm to Fork strategy and biodiversity strategy must acknowledge the importance of the application of innovation in agriculture if they are to truly contribute to fighting and mitigating climate change. Seeing agriculture as part of the solution, not just the problem, can help make the most efficient use of precious natural resources.

Policymakers and industry must work together to help farmers build a stronger and more resilient agricultural economy. Investment in innovation will certainly help. But a strong commitment from industry to set and achieve targets can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable EU agricultural sector.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented global health crisis. The response measures are resulting in a severe shock to the economy, with many businesses currently unsure of their ability to survive. The IMF predicts (WEO, 6th April) a global economic contradiction equal to -3% of global GDP in 2020, with alternative scenarios forecasting a -5% to -7% depending on a longer COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 and/or a new outbreak in 2021.

While we are still adapting to the effect of the crisis, some lessons can already be drawn. On the positive side, many companies and people have displayed a high-level of creativity in seeking solutions to the crisis. On the negative side, the pandemic has laid bare vulnerabilities due to a clear lack of digital infrastructure and data pooling necessary to identify the threat and enact appropriate containment measures.

More than ever, policymakers need to focus on long-term policies to make society more resilient to future shocks. This includes a strong focus on the transition to a low-carbon economy, more robust cybersecurity policies, and enhanced digital infrastructure. There is an opportunity to accelerate public policies supporting the transition to a Net-Zero economy by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. One idea is that companies receiving state aid could be incentivised, through discounted financing schemes, to use the funds for investments and R&D activities that align with the 2050 objectives.

A successful transition out of the crisis will depend on policymakers working together with industry - manufacturers, digital providers, the service sector, the financial sector - and civil society.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented global health crisis. The response measures are resulting in a severe shock to the economy, with many businesses currently unsure of their ability to survive. The IMF predicts (WEO, 6th April) a global economic contradiction equal to -3% of global GDP in 2020, with alternative scenarios forecasting a -5% to -7% depending on a longer COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 and/or a new outbreak in 2021.

While we are still adapting to the effect of the crisis, some lessons can already be drawn. On the positive side, many companies and people have displayed a high-level of creativity in seeking solutions to the crisis. On the negative side, the pandemic has laid bare vulnerabilities due to a clear lack of digital infrastructure and data pooling necessary to identify the threat and enact appropriate containment measures.

More than ever, policymakers need to focus on long-term policies to make society more resilient to future shocks. This includes a strong focus on the transition to a low-carbon economy, more robust cybersecurity policies, and enhanced digital infrastructure. There is an opportunity to accelerate public policies supporting the transition to a Net-Zero economy by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. One idea is that companies receiving state aid could be incentivised, through discounted financing schemes, to use the funds for investments and R&D activities that align with the 2050 objectives.

A successful transition out of the crisis will depend on policymakers working together with industry - manufacturers, digital providers, the service sector, the financial sector - and civil society.

Looking at the future of agriculture in general, and the fertiliser industry in particular, the challenges of sustainable food production are apparent. Growing food demand will force farmers to invest in innovative tools to increase production, ensuring maximum efficiency from the land they farm.

An adequate supply of nutrients in the soil is essential to crop growth as it increases the production of biomass in the plant and thus yields. It is seen as an important contributory factor to address the major challenge of feeding a growing world population.

However, excessive nutrients in the soil can contribute to problems such as pollution of drinking water, soil acidification and climate change.

The Farm to Fork Strategy, and the broader European Green Deal, offer a chance to show that sustainability and food security are inextricably linked. These programmes can help identify the best transition to sustainable food systems, leading to food security and resilience, and to kick-start the long-term transformation of our food system that scientists, civil society and farming groups are calling for.

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Looking at the future of agriculture in general, and the fertiliser industry in particular, the challenges of sustainable food production are apparent. Growing food demand will force farmers to invest in innovative tools to increase production, ensuring maximum efficiency from the land they farm.

An adequate supply of nutrients in the soil is essential to crop growth as it increases the production of biomass in the plant and thus yields. It is seen as an important contributory factor to address the major challenge of feeding a growing world population.

However, excessive nutrients in the soil can contribute to problems such as pollution of drinking water, soil acidification and climate change.

The Farm to Fork Strategy, and the broader European Green Deal, offer a chance to show that sustainability and food security are inextricably linked. These programmes can help identify the best transition to sustainable food systems, leading to food security and resilience, and to kick-start the long-term transformation of our food system that scientists, civil society and farming groups are calling for.

>> Click here for more information about the event.

>> Click here to check out our upcoming event

Decarbonising the energy sector in Europe by 2050 is an ambitious, yet achievable objective.

It implies a large-scale electrification of the transport and heat sectors, which in turn will allow a much higher penetration of renewable energies in the energy mix. Deep decarbonisation also involves an increase in the overall efficiency of the energy system and a reduction in the share of unabated gases in the energy balance.

The new reality brought about by the COVID-19 health crisis has reinforced the need to align the climate goals of the European Green Deal with the much-needed economic recovery efforts to build a more resilient, robust and sustainable EU economy.

Will a 'green recovery' plan be able to deliver the necessary innovation and jobs that are needed to kick-start the European economy? And what will be the role of the energy sector in this plan?

Decarbonising the energy sector in Europe by 2050 is an ambitious, yet achievable objective.

It implies a large-scale electrification of the transport and heat sectors, which in turn will allow a much higher penetration of renewable energies in the energy mix. Deep decarbonisation also involves an increase in the overall efficiency of the energy system and a reduction in the share of unabated gases in the energy balance.

The new reality brought about by the COVID-19 health crisis has reinforced the need to align the climate goals of the European Green Deal with the much-needed economic recovery efforts to build a more resilient, robust and sustainable EU economy.

Will a 'green recovery' plan be able to deliver the necessary innovation and jobs that are needed to kick-start the European economy? And what will be the role of the energy sector in this plan?