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:
- aim to keep the overall cost of doing business in Europe at a globally competitive level
- put in place an industrial policy supportive of innovation and private investment
- encourage entrepreneurship
- put more emphasis on fostering a culture of responsible risk-taking within a smart, science-based regulatory framework
- implement the recommendations of completed High Level Groups, for example the High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and the Environment and the High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the European Chemicals Industry
ERT Comment
The Europe 2020 Strategy has now been agreed and ambitious flagship initiatives proposed. Implementation is now crucial. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 and the Cancun Agreement represent small steps in this direction. (last updated 31/01/11)
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
The European Commission's proposed Industrial Policy flagship initiative includes the idea of 'competitiveness proofing', which has a lot of potential if applied effectively. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 European Commission's proposed Industrial Policy flagship initiative includes the idea of an ex-post evaluation of the effects of legislation on competitiveness. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 European Commission's proposed Industrial Policy flagship initiative includes the idea of ex-ante 'competitiveness proofing' through the existing impact assessment process. (last updated 31/01/11)
Examine further options to mainstream the pursuit of all aspects of sustainability in EU policy making.
ERT Comment
The European Commission is currently preparing the 7th Environmental Action Programme, which is intended to focus less on specific environmental legislation and more on tools to integrate environmental concerns in other policy areas. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 EPBD 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 31/01/11)
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
Little public debate is taking place on the EU's future competitiveness and the associated requirements. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 addresses the idea of exploiting Europe's leadership in the race to develop new processes and technologies in a resource efficient, sustainable and competitive manner. However, it does not address criteria for the identification of lead markets. (last updated 31/01/11)
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
The implementation of the EU rules for electronic communications is due in mid-2011. Decisions are still required to clarify certain details. (last updated 31/01/11)
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 31/01/11)
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 31/01/11)
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 31/01/11)
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.Fellowships could be part of broader dialogues with the EU's strategic partners. The European Council should address this urgently. (last updated 31/01/11)