Quick Wins in 2010

Ambitious, bold and consistent policy action is required if Europe is to be put on track to be an attractive place to live and work in 2025. To achieve ERT’s vision, urgent decisions need to be taken starting immediately. ERT’s manifesto for a competitive Europe in 2025 outlines numerous recommendations for policy action to be taken by 2015. Implementation of the following ‘quick wins’ could make an appreciable impact in setting Europe on track for achievement by 2025.

Quickly agree an ambitious and realistic Europe 2020 Strategy  

The Europe 2020 Strategy should provide a clear pathway

The Europe 2020 Strategy should provide a clear pathway to an innovative, sustainable and competitive Europe. It should focus decision-makers’ attention on a manageable number of priority issues consistent with the objective of achieving long-term growth in line with the multi-faceted nature of sustainability. To this end, the Europe 2020 Strategy should:

ERT Comment

The level of ambition of the Europe 2020 Strategy is realistic. The Strategy is currently on track for swift agreement. It addresses many, but far from all, of ERT's recommendations. (last updated 01/06/10)

Consistent and balanced pursuit of sustainability in all its facets  

Complete a legally binding international climate change agreement in 2010

Complete a legally binding international climate change agreement in 2010, which addresses all man-made greenhouse gas emissions and sources, and provides an effective framework allowing the EU to continue competing in the global market by ensuring that the gap is minimised between those leading on the implementation of emission constraints and those following as their economies build capacity to manage emissions.

ERT Comment

There has been little progress since December 2009 towards a legally binding international climate change agreement. The Copenhagen Accord represents a small step in this direction. (last updated 01/06/10)

Screen all EU legislation

Screen all EU legislation for its compatibility with the multi-faceted definition of sustainability and the requirement to take into account short-term as well as long-term considerations

ERT Comment

This assessment is based on the following two recommendations.

Existing legislation

Existing legislation should be screened as part of the ongoing review process under the Better Regulation initiative. All legislation that does not pass this test should be reviewed.

ERT Comment

The Europe 2020 Strategy includes a proposal to 'launch an ex-post evaluation of existing legisation' but only in the Single Market context (not covering sustainability). (last updated 01/06/10)

New legislation

New legislation should automatically be screened as part of the impact assessment procedure. As this procedure only screens proposed legislation, it cannot guarantee the compatibility of legal acts after their adoption. A post-adoption impact assessment is therefore required, which must send back all adopted acts that are not in line with sustainability criteria.

ERT Comment

The Europe 2020 Strategy contains no reference to a change of approach to impact assessment, notably no indication of post-adoption impact assessments. (last updated 01/06/10)

Examine further options to mainstream the pursuit of all aspects of sustainability in EU policy making.

ERT Comment

Sustainability plays an underlying role in the Europe 2020 Strategy, but individual measures are not directly related back to multi-faceted sustainability. Overall, a more comprehensive approach may be necessary. (last updated 01/06/10)

Devise an EU-wide programme to improve energy efficiency

Devise an EU-wide programme to improve energy efficiency, including an increase in spending on related R&D, ambitious legal requirements to enhance energy efficiency in new buildings, and financial instruments reaching the end-customer.

ERT Comment

The EU 'Energy Performance of Buildings' directive recast has strengthened the energy efficiency requirements in buildings. However, there are currently no dedicated financial instruments and no legal requirements for other sectors. (last updated 01/06/10)

Foster an EU-wide public debate

Foster an EU-wide public debate on the need for a change in mindsets in our societies, including business, in order to achieve multi-faceted sustainability while safeguarding Europe’s competitiveness. This should be a first step towards improving the communication between policy makers and citizens on EU-wide policy choices.

ERT Comment

There is little public debate, even in Brussels, on the Europe 2020 Strategy and these issues in particular. (last updated 01/06/10)

Enhance links between business and education  

Establish a European Coordinating Body

Establish a European Coordinating Body in the area of mathematics, science and technology by transforming ‘European Schoolnet’. In addition to its current tasks it should be entrusted with supporting the development of effective businesseducation interaction from a European level. After initial seed funding by the business community supplementing EU funds, long-term financing for this initiative must be secured.

ERT Comment

There has been strong support for the establishment of a European Coordinating Body. The funding for this project is under consideration by the European Commission. (last updated 01/06/10)

Reinforce the EU's technology lead  

Expand the concept of lead markets

Expand the concept of lead markets to address all facets of sustainability, including health and nutrition, education, infrastructure, energy, the environment and newly-emerging global technologies.

ERT Comment

The Europe 2020 Strategy does not address the criteria for the identification of lead markets. (last updated 01/06/10)

Promote urgently needed private investments in broadband networks

Promote urgently needed private investments in broadband networks through a modernised regulatory approach on the basis of the recently revised EU Directives for electronic communications.

ERT Comment

Much uncertainty remains, for the time being, regarding the implementation of the EU Directives for electronic communications. (last updated 01/06/10)

Promote R&D investment by companies

This assessment is based on the following two recommendations.

Agree EU-wide implementation of national tax incentives

Agree EU-wide implementation of national tax incentives along the lines of successful existing systems, for example the French ‘Crédit d’impot Recherche’.

ERT Comment

The Europe 2020 Strategy identifies a need for Member States to prioritise knowledge expenditure, including by using tax incentives and other financial instruments to promote R&D investment. (last updated 01/06/10)

Devise an “R&D crash programme”

Devise an “R&D crash programme” to allocate unused funds from the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research to R&D projects across an expanded array of lead markets.

ERT Comment

There appears to be no progress in this area for the time being. (last updated 01/06/10)

Reinforce the EU's position as a respected international partner  

Keep all forms of protectionism at bay

Keep all forms of protectionism at bay. While this is an ongoing requirement, it will be important to prevent any measures that inhibit international trade and investment flows taken in the context of the economic crisis.

ERT Comment

Outright protectionist measures have so far been prevented, but the threat of economic nationalism continues to be high. (last updated 01/06/10)

Devise an EU fellowship scheme for professionals and officials from third countries

Devise an EU fellowship scheme for professionals and officials from third countries to contribute to building a strong global interest in and understanding of Europe, and could build on the positive experiences with the EU's Erasmus Mundus programme for students.

ERT Comment

Some programmes exist that could form a basis for such a scheme aimed at professionals, but no concrete proposals have so far been made. (last updated 01/06/10)