Re-thinking Europe

The Clean Industrial Deal: A plan to boost Europe’s economy?

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On 26 February, just ahead of the first 100 days in office, the European Commission unveiled its “Clean Industrial Deal” (CID). This flagship initiative seeks to align Europe’s climate ambition with competitiveness. Aligned with the Draghi report published last year, the CID gives the European Green Deal an “industrial twist”, focusing on decarbonising “traditional” industries while helping European clean technology production scale-up.

In this episode of Rethinking Europe, we will be joined by Elvire Fabry, Senior Researcher in Geopolitics of Trade at Institut Jacques Delors in Paris and Philipp Jäger, Policy Fellow for European climate and economic policy at the Jacques Delors Centre in Berlin.

We’ll start by taking a closer look at the CID’s strategic direction and its potential to reshape Europe’s industrial landscape. We will also discuss the CID’s new tools, particularly the introduction of “Lead Markets” and “Made in Europe” content requirements and explore how these initiatives could help boost domestic clean technology production. Lastly, we’ll examine the challenges of funding, coordination, and political backing to ensure the CID’s success.

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Rethinking EU partnerships – crafting an attractive offer to the Global South

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this new episode of Rethinking Europe, our host Claudia Azevedo is joined by Poorva Karkare (Policy Officer specialised in African industrialization and regional integration at the ECDPM) and Colette van der Ven (Founder and Director of the Geneva-based consultancy TULIP and associate researcher on trade and environmental sustainability at Europe Jacques Delors). Together, they tackle a critical question: Can the EU build stronger partnerships with developing countries and emerging economies to meet its climate goals?

A key priority of the new European Commission is to secure access to raw materials, clean energy, and technologies while diversifying strategic supply chains. As the EU races to meet its climate goals amid geopolitical tensions, it is deploying a mix of partnerships - from traditional free trade agreements (FTAs) to newer, flexible models like the recently announced Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs). But with partner countries already weighing competing proposals from global powers like China and the US, critical questions emerge: Can the EU craft an offer attractive enough to stand out? What’s missing in the EU’s current strategy? How can its partnerships move beyond rhetoric to deliver mutual gains in practice?

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The delay of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) - What’s at stake?

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this new episode of Rethinking Europe, we sit down with John Clarke - former Director for International Relations at the European Commission DG AGRI and the EU’s chief agriculture negotiator - to unpack the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Following the recent announcement of a 12-month delay in the EUDR implementation, we discuss the reasons behind this decision, which has been praised and criticized in equal measure. John shares insights on the implications of this delay, what changes are necessary for an effective implementation of the regulation, and the lessons learned for future green trade policies of the incoming Commission.

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What should a Clean Industrial Deal look like from a business perspective? A Conversation with Marco Mensink

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 05:00:01 GMT

Welcome to the second season of Rethinking Europe, a podcast by Europe Jacques Delors, where we discuss the environment, the climate and anything in between. In this new season, we’ll delve into the EU’s trade policy and how to green it; and what the EU can do to build a strong, clean, and competitive EU industry.

To kick off this season, we’re thrilled to be joined in this first episode by an industry leader, Marco Mensink, Director General of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic). Cefic was the convener of the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal backed by over 1,200 organisations across 25 sectors. In this episode, we will hear from Marco about the pressing needs and expectations of EU industries as they navigate the green transition against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions. How can the EU ensure that its industries remain strong while advancing the green transition? What kind of trade policies should the EU adopt to balance openness with competitiveness? And what can we expect from the EU in this new mandate?

Europe Jacques Delors is a Brussels-based think tank dedicated to environmental sustainability in Europe conducting high-level research on greening agri-food, greening trade as well as ocean governance and protection. If you want to learn more about Europe Jacques Delors’ work, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X and Youtube, or visit our website at www.europejacquesdelors.eu.”

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The Green Deal : A European Agenda with Global Impact?

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:13 GMT

In this fifth episode of Re-thinking Europe, we take a look at the international dimension of the European Green Deal. What does the EU do to promote a green transition worldwide? How does the EU engage with its partner countries to pursue this global green agenda? Which policies and initiatives have worked well, which haven’t and what can we learn going forward?

Two experts on the European Green Deal and on the EU’s external relations discuss these questions and more. We are joined by Monica Frassoni, president of the European Alliance to Save Energy, president of the European Centre for Electoral Support and Europe Jacques Delors’ associate researcher for agri-food policy and green diplomacy. Koen Doens is the European Commission’s Director-General for International Partnerships and brings his expertise to the table from twenty years of experience working on humanitarian and development policy in the European Commission.

If you want to learn more about the policies discussed in this episode, check out our previous episodes and Europe Jacques Delors’ most recent publications on EU Green Diplomacy, the CBAM and the EUDR. And stay tuned for our upcoming paper taking stock of the external impacts of the EU green agenda, focusing on its trade policy in the last five years. You will find it on our website soon.

Key moments:

00:22 - Introduction

03:07 – Interview with Monica Frassoni and Koen Doens

22:25 – Outro

Credits and staff:

The producer of this episode of Re-thinking Europe is Helena van Thiel from Europe Jacques Delors.

The editor of this episode is Futura D'Aprile, from Europod.

The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.

Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

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Next stop - Deforestation-free supply chains?

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:00:13 GMT

In this fourth episode of Re-thinking Europe, we explore the EU's Regulation on Deforestation-free products – the EUDR. This landmark regulation aims to tackle deforestation driven by agricultural expansion linked to the trade of certain commodities.

What measures has the EU put in place to tackle global deforestation and how does the EUDR contribute to these efforts? What challenges will the EUDR pose to smallholder farmers in producer countries? How can the EU best support smallholders to adapt to the regulation and move towards more sustainable agri-food practices?

We are joined by Marianne Kettunen, senior policy expert and advisor working with the Trade, Development and the Environment Hub (TRADEHub) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) BioTrade programme to unpack the negative socio-environmental impacts of agri-food supply chains, including deforestation. In addition, Louise Nakagawa, a researcher on Agricultural Supply Chains at Imaflora, and at the Brazilian Centre of Analysis and Planning offers insights into the agri-food sector and its links with deforestation in her home country, Brazil. She explains how the EUDR could impact Brazilian producers, and zooms in on some local initiatives tackling deforestation, such as the Beef on Track programme.

If you’d like to learn more about the EUDR, check out our paper “GRAPE 4 – Deforestation-free agri-food supply chains: will the new EU regulation be up to the challenge”.

Key moments:

00:20 - Introduction

03:03 – Louise Nakagawa’s story

09:57 - Transition

10:30 - Direct interview with Marianne Kettunen

25:45 – Outro

Credits and staff

The producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors.

The editor of this episode is Futura D’Aprile, from Europod.

The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.

Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

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The EU's race for Critical Raw Materials: beyond extraction, into consequences

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 04:00:44 GMT

This third episode of Re-thinking Europe delves into a pivotal aspect of the EU’s trade policy: Critical Raw Materials (CRMs).

With Cécile Billaux, Head of the Private Sector, Trade and Investment Unit at DG INTPA, at the European Commission, we discuss the origins, as well as the negative impacts of CRMs' extraction - associated with the EU's increasing resource demand - on people and the environment in resource-rich developing countries.

To what extent will the EU's new strategic partnerships on CRM benefit local populations and support the green transition and industrialization in partner countries? What is the EU doing to address the life-threatening impacts of mining on indigenous peoples and local communities linked with its increasing demand? How can the EU effectively reduce demand for CRMs while working towards achieving its ambitious climate objectives?

You will also hear Diego Marin, policy officer for raw materials and resource justice at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), telling us more about his journey. Diego explains the reality of mining activities on the ground and his experience at the Conga Mine, a gold and copper mining project in Cajamarca, Peru.

Key moments:

00:22 - Introduction

02:28 - Diego Marin’s story

08:15 - Transition

09:07 - Direct interview with Cécile Billaux

26:21 – Outro

Credits and staff

The producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors.

The editor of this episode is Futura D’Aprile, from Europod.

The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.

Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU Green Trade policy: What's next?

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:00:45 GMT

This second episode of Re-thinking Europe explores the EU's trade and sustainable development policies and their impact on small farmers and workers, especially in the Global South. With Sergi Corbalan, international trade advisor for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, we discuss the successes and challenges at the intersection of trade and sustainable development policy.

What have been the major successes and shortcomings in the “greening” of EU trade policy over the last 4 years? What can we expect by the end of the mandate? Will the EU be able to conclude the EU-Mercosur agreement after 2 decades of negotiations?

In this episode, you will also hear Virginia Enssle, International and Institutional Relations Manager at the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, telling us more about her journey as a social justice advocate.

Key moments

00:21 - Intro

02:24 - Virginia’s story

09:32 - Transition

10:18 - Direct interview with Sergi Corbalan

31:56 - Outro

Credits and staff

The producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors.

The editor of this episode is Futura D'Aprile, from Bulle Media.

The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.

Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Bulle Media.

Social Media & other resources

https://www.linkedin.com/company/europe-jacques-delors/

https://twitter.com/DelorsEurope

https://www.youtube.com/@europejacquesdelors2020

https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/policy-areas/trade-environment

https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/greening-trade-13

https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/greening-trade-14

https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/a-pro-development-green-trade-agenda-for-cop-28

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Trade, Carbon and Borders: Inside the EU CBAM

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 04:00:34 GMT

This first episode of Re-thinking Europe focuses on a green trade regulation to be implemented at the EU level, namely the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - or EU CBAM.

Featuring Maria Elena Scoppio, Director of Indirect Taxation at DG TAXUD, we discuss the ins and outs of this regulation: Is the EU CBAM an effective tool in the fight against climate change? What opportunities does it create for businesses, and why is it being criticized? How might the implementation of the CBAM affect trading partners in the Global South? As you listen to this episode, you will also have the chance to meet Sara Svensson, a young policy analyst, and discover her background, interests, perspectives and reasons that led her to work on climate and trade policies.