Brussels – Energy, finance, the circular economy, and transport took centre stage at the Connact Autumn Workshop, held yesterday at the European Parliament. The meeting, organised by Connact – the platform set up to facilitate dialogue between European decision-makers, Italian companies and associations that make up our national economy – fostered a discussion on the challenges to be addressed and the solutions to be adopted to revitalise the EU’s competitiveness, within a geopolitical context characterised by upheavals, conflicts and trade tensions.
The debate at the Energy roundtable focused on measures affecting security of supply and energy prices, while ensuring consistency in the path towards energy independence. On this subject, Philippe Lamberts, a Member of the European Commission and Adviser to President von der Leyen on the green transition, said: “The best measure we can take to achieve short-term results is to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy and, at the same time, ensure that the electricity grid can accommodate it: any other measure takes much longer to produce results.” Also taking part in the debate was the MEP and head of the League delegation in Brussels, as well as ITRE coordinator for Patriots for Europe, Paolo Borchia, who, on the sidelines of the meeting, stated: “What needs to be done is to put all energy sources on an equal footing.” He added that “what we have seen in recent years – and what has harmed the economy of the whole of Europe – has been the war waged against gas, which has become not a source to draw upon, but a problem to be resolved.”
Sustainability as a competitive advantage for the country was one of the topics discussed during the Circular Economy roundtable. Through initiatives such as the Circular Economy Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act, the EU can, in fact, provide a major boost to both spreading best practices developed in Italy and creating regulatory and market conditions conducive to industrial development based on the circular economy model. Valentina Palmisano, MEP for LEFT/M5S, said: “As European legislators, we aim to ensure a harmonised and straightforward regulatory framework that safeguards our environmental standards and enables businesses to operate effectively. We must establish clear, effective and coherent European rules that protect the environment and citizens’ health while, at the same time, providing certainty and dignity to the work of those investing in the circular transition.”
The Mobility & Logistics session analysed the key role of transport in combating climate change and ensuring the competitiveness of various sectors of the economy. Speaking during the discussion, Carlo Fidanza, ECR/FdI MEP, commented: “So far, there has been an imbalance – an excessive emphasis on decarbonisation that has not been accompanied by the necessary tools.” The MEP added: “Decarbonisation must take place; we need to renew the vehicle fleet, and this must be done in accordance with the principle of technological neutrality, using solutions that are feasible and accessible. We must also avoid additional environmental levies such as the ETS and ETS2, which are due to be introduced and for which we are calling for a postponement.”
The event concluded with the Finance & Insurance roundtable. The focus was on the Savings & Investment Union, the review of the banking package and pension fund legislation, and the role of the supervisory authorities (EBA, ESMA, EIOPA and, most recently, AMLA). S&D/PD MEP, Irene Tinagli, stressed the importance of events that bring together the various operators in the sector: “A particularly important occasion because we know that the competitiveness package for the banking sector – which has been one of the most hotly debated topics – is on its way. Discussions centred on how to harness better the ability of the insurance and banking sectors to invest in the real economy and how to channel savings.”
Connact Autumn Workshop is an event organised in collaboration with the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Italy and sponsored by: A2A, AISCAT, AIPB, Assoclima, Assonime, Autostrade per l’Italia, CONAI, Confartigianato Imprese, Confetra, Edison, Enel, Eni, Federcasse, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Generali, Intesa Sanpaolo, Leonardo SpA, Menarini, Pirelli Group, RPUE, SNAM, Terna, Unipol and Versalis. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Enterprise and ‘Made in Italy’, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Gea – Green Economy Agency, Eunews, Agence Europe, Canale Energia, Insurzine, Money and Gazzetta Logistica are media partners for the initiative.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
