Sustainable Future

Politico



An interview, a discussion and two round tables closed the European Sustainability Week organized under the aegis of Politico, and among the important themes: the fight against soil erosion, the need to move to industrial scale for zero impact technologies, the revision of REACH and the expected acceleration of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

On December 5, Politico hosted an event in Brussels to mark the closure of its Sustainability Week. The event featured several discussions and interviews, highlighting important issues and future directions for sustainability in the EU.

The event began with an interview with Spain’s Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas. He emphasized the importance of protecting soil from erosion and using water with high precision. Planas noted that in his view farmers are increasingly open to adopting new practices and changes that promote sustainability.

Following this, a Fireside Chat on the Clean Industrial Deal took place. The discussion underscored the need for reworked chemical safety regulations and acknowledged that zero impact technologies and industrial solutions are not yet sufficiently advanced. One of the speakers highlighted the necessity of establishing repair stations. There were also concerns expressed about the potential perverse effects of a diesel ban, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe. The chat included a discussion on the fairness of ‘eco taxes’ and their impact on different segments of society.

The third segment of the event was a panel discussion titled ‘Chemically Yours - EU’s Chemical Future.’ The panelists discussed the ongoing revision of REACH, stressing the need for a modernized and digitized approach rather than a simplified one. The competitiveness of the EU plastics industry was also a major topic, with a noted 8% decrease in production last year attributed to high energy prices and regulatory influences. The panelists agreed that while regulation can drive competitiveness, the high cost of sustainable solutions remains a barrier for many, including end-users.

The final panel discussion focused on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). It was highlighted that the EU has been weak in implementing high R-strategies such as reduce and reuse, which have been overlooked so far. The need for a monitoring body to ensure accurate reporting by Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) was emphasized. Additionally, the panel stressed that public authorities must do more to improve collection, sorting, and recycling efforts.

Overall, the event provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in advancing sustainability within the EU.

Guy Buyle, Centexbel (BE)

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