A look back at our conference on the European Green Deal

The Green Deal was presented as the new economic and geopolitical project for the European Union in 2019. With its emphasis on growth and energy security, the Green Deal has proven to be more than a transition policy with an environmental motivation. Its social dimension also became more explicit in the face of a series of crises, including the Covid pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. More recently, the Green Deal has been criticised by certain stakeholders, who are calling for a temporary halt in new regulations so that the implementation of legislation already enacted can be prioritised. Additionally, certain aspects of the Green Deal have been completely suspended. What are the potential scenarios following the upcoming European elections? What strategic perspectives might emerge as the EU navigates these complex challenges?

On April 24, 2024, we co-hosted with IDDRI and Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) and School of Public Affairs a two-parts conference to discuss those questions. 

Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Executive VP for the European Green Deal, first delivered a keynote speech and engaged with students in a discussion chaired by PSIA Dean Arancha Gonzalez. 

A panel discussion followed, addressing the question: “Reinventing the deal – what political space for the ecological transition in the next European legislature?” Moderated by Claire Lejeune, PhD candidate in environmental political theory at the CEE, it provided insights from both the political and academic spheres: 

• Barbara Pompili, Former Minister of Ecological Transition of France;
• Marcin Korolec, Former Minister of Environment of Poland;
• Cristina Peñasco, Economist for the Centre of Climate Change of the Banque de France, Member of Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), Associate Professor in Public Policy at the University of Cambridge;
• Marc Ringel, Chairholder at the Sciences Po European Chair for Sustainable Development and Climate Transition;
• Matthias Thiemann, Professor of European Public Policy at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Policies (CEE).

Closing remarks were delivered by Sébastien Treyer, Director General of Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales (IDDRI).

A replay of the conference is available below, and a summary of the event can be read on the website of Sciences Po European Chair for Sustainable Development and Climate Transition.