EU Green Deal: From Vision to Actions - Report on the joint event by SGI Europe and the Employers' Group of the EESC

On Friday 28 May, SGI Europe and the Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a joint webinar “The EU Green Deal: From Vision to Actions”. The event was a unique opportunity to address the state of play regarding the implementation of the EU Green Deal, with a specific focus on the role of employers and providers of services of general interest, as well as the EU Taxonomy and the development of Sustainable Finance in the EU.

Following introductory statements by Stefano Mallia (EESC Employers' Group President) and Valeria Ronzitti (SGI Europe General Secretary), Jean-Eudes Moncomble (General Secretary of the French Council of Energy, Chair of the Sustainability Board of SGI Europe) set the stage for the panel discussion by shedding light on the risks and impacts of COVID-19 on the implementation of the EU Green Deal. Mr Moncomble also addressed the role of SGIs in the process, whilst calling for unconventional and innovative ways to work with all stakeholders, addressing the social impacts, as well as restoring and boosting the investment capabilities of enterprises.

In the panel discussion that followed, moderated by Milena Angelova (General Secretary of BICA, Vice-President of SGI Europe), Maria Espírito Santo (Deputy DG for Energy, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change), Nathan Fabian (chair of the European Commission Platform on Sustainable Finance), Filippo Brandolini (President of HERAmbiente Spa, Vice-President of SGI Europe and member of the Platform on Sustainable Finance) and Stefan Back (EESC, Rapporteur on the Sustainable finance taxonomy - climate change) presented their views on the topic according to their own expertise and role whose wide range of insights rendered the discussion extremely lively and stimulating.

Opening the discussion, Ms Espírito Santo provided a summary of the achievements of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council in promoting Europe as a leader in climate policy, whilst boosting the social dimension and calling for quality investments to achieve climate neutrality, with the renovation wave as a key instrument.
Continuing on the issue of investments and financing, Nathan Fabian presented the role of the Platform for Sustainable Finance, and how the EU Taxonomy can support investors in channelling funds towards sustainable activities with a holistic approach (both on the social and environmental dimensions).
Filippo Brandolini emphasised the multiple dimensions of the EU Green Deal, calling for coherent and stable legal frameworks whilst also stressing the importance of boosting  investment in sustainable activities. He particularly called for streamlining the approach to circular economy, whereas the implementation of the EU Taxonomy should rely on facts and science.
Finally, Stefan Back recalled the support of the EESC Employers’ Group to the climate neutrality goals, welcoming the agreement of the co-legislators on the Climate Law whilst looking forward to the upcoming Fit for 55 Package, joining calls for stable frameworks as uncertainty remains a vector of complexity.

In the Q&A session, EESC members Arnold Puech D’Alissac, Janusz Pietkiewicz and Maurizio Reale raised questions concerning the relation between the EU Green Deal and growth, the role of SMEs and the Common Agricultural Policy. In the concluding round of remarks, panellists shared the view for urgent actions to address the environmental and climate crises without overlooking the importance of relying on stable policy and legislative frameworks. Overall, despite holding different viewpoints and perspectives on the matter, all speakers contributed constructively when assessing the ability of the EU Taxonomy to deliver on the promise of sustainable finance at EU level.