With a systemic approach to implementing the Green Deal, Europe can emerge from crisis to become a more prosperous, sustainable and resilient society. “A System Change Compass”, with foreword by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, sets the direction for implementing the European Green Deal in a time of recovery, and fully delivering on its ambitions.
“A System Change Compass – implementing the European Green Deal in a time of recovery” is co-authored by SYSTEMIQ and The Club of Rome. Published today, with a foreword by President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen, it aims for a rapid and successful rollout of what has become not just the EU’s environmental and sustainability plan, but the driving force behind its long-term social and economic resilience. Launching the report, Sandrine Dixson Decleve, President of the Club of Rome, explained: “The Green Deal provides a mission for transformation: it needs to be matched with an equally bold framework for implementation.“
The report sets out clear policy interventions that can shape a new economic landscape for Europe: ranging from the full potential of a circular economy to the enabling role of finance. Instead of economic sectors, it demonstrates the value of economic ecosystems – integrated, resilient, adaptive, and directed to truly meet our societal needs.
It also identifies over 50 emerging industry “champions” that will drive Europe’s transformation towards a more competitive, resource-efficient economy in line with societal needs. These champions – from mobility-as-a-service to regenerative farming and hydrogen technologies – represent scalable sustainable industries that will form Europe’s economic backbone in a net-zero world.
Delivering this ambitious vision implies a profound rethink: it challenges us to redefine measures of prosperity and progress, and the way we lead the transition to a sustainable future – particularly on the ‘decoupling’ of future growth from our use of the world’s resources. “Applying a ‘resource lens’ to all economic activity is essential”, explains Janez Potočnik, the former European Commissioner for the Environment. “Both to drive the recovery and deliver the European Green Deal – they are two sides of the same coin.”
Echoing President Von der Leyen’s call for a “systemic modernisation across our economy, society and industry” in her State of the Union address, the report is designed to inform conversations and provide a ‘starting kit’ to EU policy stakeholders.
Early drafts have been well received across the EU policy community, and the endorsements from the European Investment Bank, the Corporate Leaders Group Europe, and the European Trade Union Confederation reveal a real excitement about its potential. “We asked ourselves a very simple question,” explains SYSTEMIQ’s co-founder, Martin R Stuchtey. “Under what circumstances would the European Green Deal be welcomed by businesses, investors, politicians and community leaders alike? The System Change Compass describes the prerequisites which will ensure their support, reconcile their interests and drive momentum to achieve the EU Green Deal’s ambition.”
Download the full report and the Executive Summary, along with German and Polish summaries, below.
