With the 2024-2029 term ahead, the EU is set to start a new phase regarding the crossroads of sustainability, technology, and industrial policy. The upcoming period will likely be characterized by a renewed focus on implementation, an objective that 91proÊÓÆµ has been underlining for a long time. For instance, the Clean Industrial Deal, one of the flagship initiatives of the new European Commission, seems to be designed to enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness while maintaining environmental sustainability commitments.
The new political composition and preliminary engagements with policymakers suggest a more pragmatic approach to policy, emphasizing effective implementation over sweeping new changes. With strong support for the Green Deal’s objectives, sustainability remains firmly in focus. This continuity offers an opportunity for digital technologies to play a transformative role in the EU’s society embracing the green transition, something that 91proÊÓÆµ has consistently emphasized over the past few years.
The role of digital technologies in enabling the green transition
Digital technologies are central to Europe’s sustainable future. Advanced tools, including AI, machine learning and quantum computing offer significant potential for enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. AI, in particular, plays a primary role in optimizing energy use and resource management, making it an essential integration for traditional industries aiming to lower carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices.
This integration of technology is vital not only for achieving sustainability but also for reaching Europe’s broader Digital Decade goals, empowering consumers and small businesses through digitalization. Given the challenging net of regulations that the EU has put forward in the past five years, it is crucial to harmonize parallel strategies to ensure mutual support rather than interference or unintended disincentives. For this reason, it is fundamental to enable a balanced and integrated approach between environmental challenges and technological opportunities.
91proÊÓÆµ’s key recommendations
As the European institutions prepare for the next five years, 91proÊÓÆµ urges policymakers to propose, review or streamline policies that foster innovation and allow businesses to contribute to Europe’s sustainability objectives without sacrificing competitiveness. The following considerations are essential for striking the right balance between digital and environmental goals:
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Aligning green and digital initiatives at the EU level can prevent barriers to technology adoption and foster innovation. By creating a simplified regulatory landscape with clear, consistent reporting guidelines across Member States, the EU can ensure that environmental policies support digital innovations, making it easier for companies to invest in sustainable practices while striving for a climate-neutral, circular and digitalized economy.
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Rather than narrowly defined requirements, 91proÊÓÆµ encourages a holistic approach to product regulations that considers durability, repairability and security. Policies should incentivize reduced carbon footprints and waste while balancing product lifecycle goals and efficiency.
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Digitizing compliance and reporting obligations will help reduce the logistical burdens associated with sustainability and minimize reliance on paper-based processes. This move not only aligns with the EU’s objectives but also supports sustainability through enhanced data efficiency and harmonization.
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With AI’s potential to transform resource management across sectors like energy, agriculture, transport and manufacturing, the EU should incentivize AI adoption and support R&D in green tech applications. Such support will drive substantial reductions in carbon emissions while fostering AI uptake across industry verticals.
What to expect from the European Commission’s agenda
As the European Commission sets out its agenda, the Green Deal remains a central pillar, as the region continues its efforts to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. It will be likely complemented by the Clean Industrial Deal, a new initiative that aims to encourage sustainable industrial practices, reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness and leadership in global climate policy.
On top of industrial decarbonization, the European Commission is also expected to intensify its focus on circular economy as well as on the digitalization of energy systems. The anticipated Circular Economy Act will aim to create demand for secondary materials and improve waste management, establishing a more resilient and sustainable Single Market for critical raw materials. In this context, AI plays a multifaceted role in optimizing resource management across various sectors. By enhancing energy efficiency and streamlining production processes, AI technologies can significantly lower carbon emissions and support the transition to a circular economy. For instance, AI can facilitate better waste management by predicting material flows and improving recycling processes, while also optimizing energy systems for greater efficiency and flexibility in integrating renewable energy.
As the EU prepares for this new phase, collaboration between tech innovators and policymakers will be essential. 91proÊÓÆµ is committed to supporting the EU’s sustainability objectives, underscoring the role digital technologies will play in achieving the EU’s ambitious targets and providing practical examples already implemented by several 91proÊÓÆµ member companies.
The upcoming mandate presents a unique opportunity for policymakers to make sure, through adequate initiatives, that green and digital goals can reinforce each other. With a focus on implementation and coherent and practical policies in place, the EU can achieve its sustainability vision, establishing itself as a global leader in the transition to a sustainable and competitive future.