Energy Policy: Fast Forward to Renewables

How can we increase and speed up the roll out of clean energy? We've seen a big boost in renewables lately. This is great news, but there's still a long way to go. What's holding us back? Issues like permits, grid development, and storage are just a few of the challenges we need to tackle.

Our activities in the area of energy policy

24.09.2025

Policy Conference: A clean, just, and competitive European Industry

Competitiveness is currently the Commission's top priority. On 24 September, policymakers and experts are invited to discuss what efforts towards this goal should look like and how they fit in with industrial policy.

In a context of new industrial policies being developed by the European Commission, a shift in focus from the European Green Deal to competitiveness, and growing international geoeconomic tensions, it is essential to engage in constructive and multi-stakeholder discussions on industrial policy.

Since the release of the Draghi report one year ago, competitiveness has become the main theme of the European Commission. However, the definition of competitiveness remains fuzzy and the narrative around it problematic. In the name of competitiveness, different initiatives are advanced that entail deregulation and backtracking on green commitments. In other cases, we see calls for channelling subsidies to large incumbent companies, also in the name of competitiveness.

Integrating competitiveness

With this conference, we would like to discuss the goals of the European industrial policy and  get more clarity on the definition and role of “competitiveness”. How can industrial policies be shaped in a way that supports a just transition, including accelerated decarbonisation, workers’ rights and an enhanced quality of life and environment for all? What is competitiveness and its role in achieving European policy objectives?  What should be the EU’s goals and vision for trade, coherent with its industrial policy and just transition?

To explore these questions, the policy conference will bring together a wide array of speakers, from high-level political figures to trade union representatives, civil society experts and academic researchers. The conference will propose evidence-based analyses on the state and needs of the EU’s industrial policies, debates between high-level political and civil society representatives, and stimulating discussions on different topics such as decarbonisation, competitiveness, labour markets, trade and circularity. The programme will include different formats: keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, presentations and smaller interactive sessions. 

The event is public and a provisional agenda will be available soon. Kindly note that, since it is hosted at the European Committee of the Regions, only registered participants will be able to attend.
Spots are limited, so please register here as soon as possible! You will receive a confirmation regarding your registration by 17 September 2025 at the latest.

For more information, please contact Stephan Thalhofer, Policy Advisor, FES Competence Centre Climate and Social Justice: Stephan.Thalhofer(at)fes.de

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Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Climate and Social Justice

Cours Saint Michel 30e
1040 Brussels, Belgium
+32 23 29 30 33
justclimate(at)fes.de

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