Europe in 2025
A global champion of sustainable growth
Europe can only be an attractive place to live and work if the achievements that benefit its society can be sustained over time. Sustainability must therefore be understood as a multi-faceted concept, embracing the environmental dimension, as well as sound economic, financial, education, social security and pension systems, optimised use of raw materials, water and food, and a secure energy supply.
“Focus on maintaining a strong industrial and knowledge base would put the EU in a position to lead global sustainable development.”
The pursuit of a comprehensive sustainability agenda can ensure that society as a whole benefits from the prosperity created by dynamic business activity. Sustainable policies should stimulate economic activity, based on free and fair market mechanisms, openness, entrepreneurial freedom, inclusive labour markets and smart regulation. On this basis, business, institutions and markets could gain more trust among citizens. Europe’s people should be empowered to contribute to the continent’s sustainable development, through an inclusive labour market allowing all talents to be applied to the benefit of society. The engagement of young people in the policy-making process should be promoted to ensure continuing challenge and renewal.
Incentives for business leaders must be based on reward systems that encourage management of risk over the long term in the mutual interests of shareholders and society. The focus on maintaining a strong industrial and knowledge base in Europe, incentivising the private sector to develop technologies that benefit the environment and employment, and ensuring the successful deployment of these technologies, would put the EU in a position to lead global sustainable development and meet its own 20-20-20 climate change targets.
“Sustainability must be understood as a multi-faceted concept.”
This, in turn, should allow European companies to strengthen their global competitiveness through global product leadership and the delivery of tangible benefits to individual citizens. In 2025, the EU should be firmly on track towards achieving the policy objective of a substantial CO2 reduction by 2050, contributing to the global management of climate change and continuing its own transformation to a low-carbon economy.