(How) Can Europe Be Competitive in a Net-Zero Economy?

On 25th September 2024, Carbon-Free Europe (CFE) hosted our third flagship event in  Brussels, bringing together policymakers, energy experts, civil society and industry  leaders to exchange views on how the EU can balance its decarbonisation efforts with maintaining economic competitiveness.

Following opening words from Carbon-Free Europe co-founder, Lindsey Walter, we were delighted to be joined for keynote remarks by Yvon Slingenberg, Director for Strategy, Analysis and Planning at the European Commission’s DG CLIMA. Ms Slingenberg stressed the need for Europe to remain committed to its emissions reduction goals outlined in the European Green Deal and highlighted the need for increased support from policymakers on the implementation of the Fit for 55 legislation and close cooperation with Member States to update their National Climate and Energy Plans (NECPs). Looking to the new mandate, one of DG CLIMA’s main priorities will be the negotiation and finalisation of the EU’s 2040 climate target.  

Next, Kelsey Paulding, EU Director for Carbon-Free Europe, moderated a fireside chat focused on EU-level efforts to boost competitiveness with Łukasz Koliński, Acting Director for Green Transition and Energy System Integration at the European Commission’s DG ENER, and Philipp Offenberg, Director of Europe at Breakthrough Energy. Both speakers welcomed the progress made in the last mandate particularly on boosting deployment of renewables, and finalising a new electricity market design framework. In the coming five years, speakers stressed the need for the new EU Commission to pair regulatory measures on decarbonisation with complimentary initiatives to support implementation, address energy costs, and boost EU competitiveness. Discussion also focused on the need for transatlantic cooperation on clean tech to bolster economic growth and energy security.

The second panel discussion focused on how Member States can leverage their own resources and economies to pursue their best path to a secure, affordable, clean energy future Kira Taylor, Climate and Energy Reporter, moderated the insightful discussion between Albéric Mongrenier, Executive Director of the European Initiative for Energy Security, Tamara Lagurashvili, Director for Central and Eastern Europe at Clean Air Task Force, and Ben Haley, Co-Founder of Evolved Energy Research. Notably, panelists highlighted the need to shift political focus from the costs of the energy transition to the benefits and opportunities it presents, while also emphasising the importance of a flexible approach which allows Member States to choose the best strategies and technologies to meet emissions reduction targets.

The event also marked the release of our third annual energy systems analysis for Europe, conducted in partnership with Evolved Energy Research. This Annual Decarbonisation Perspective is a valuable tool for stakeholders seeking to understand trade-offs of different strategies to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Several key findings from this year’s study were highlighted during the discussion including what clean energy technologies need to be deployed and when, the investments and infrastructure needed to support these technologies, and the importance of having a flexible EU policy framework that empowers Member States to stay on track to reach emissions reduction targets. You can find more details on these topics in our full report. 

View the full recording of the event here.