Climate-Friendly Materials Platform: Supporting the Transition in Central and Southern Europe

The project is completed. The Climate-Friendly Materials Platform contributed to the development of a common understanding between the EU and its Member States on concrete strategic options and joint policy actions. To this end, it aimed to foster a fruitful exchange of experiences, the results of which would feed into the various national decision-making processes. In addition, the platform was used to provide relevant scientific knowledge as a basis for successful implementation, industrial innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. as the platform’s regional focus has so far been on North-western Europe, the project therefore aimed to support countries in Southern and Central-Eastern Europe.

Project

The project aimed to create stronger links between policy makers, industry representatives, practitioners in the field of climate-friendly industrial production, and scientists from the field of applied research. In this way, a common understanding was to emerge among key stakeholders about what contributions are needed from whom in order for the basic materials sector to become climate-friendly. To this end, the project provided suitable “knowledge materials” and, within the framework of political discourse at national and EU level, began to develop an incentive portfolio, including the instruments required for this, in order to bring about the use of climate-friendly solutions on a broad basis in selected subsectors of the industry. At the same time, the project provided initial findings with regard to suitable structures and effective coordination of innovation financing in order to contribute to the restructuring of the basic materials sector.

Background

Basic materials production is responsible for 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, both efforts and results on mitigation are limited. While BAU investments are declining due to concerns on stranded assets, the policy framework is insufficient for low-carbon innovation and investments. These challenges are particularly relevant for Southern and Central-Eastern European countries. It is therefore necessary to develop a shared understanding of development perspectives, including new technologies, materials and practices, as well as to identify conditions that are conducive to climate-friendly innovation and investment. Options for refinement and use of existing and additional policy instruments (national and European) need to be explored and opportunities and challenges in policy implementation discussed.

State of Results:

• 4 national roundtables in Poland, Spain, and Hungary with representatives from industry, government, academia, and other relevant stakeholders were established and successfully conducted.
• One European roundtable on inclusive transformation was successfully conducted with participants from national roundtables, together with other international stakeholders (industrial stakeholders, policy makers and representatives of NGOs).
• Each roundtable (3 national and one European) translated scientific research findings and high-level country-specific debates into roundtable briefings and background papers.
• The lessons learned at national roundtables and the European Roundtable were synthesised in 4 reports (for Poland, Hungary, Spain, Europe) also suitable for a broader, politically interested audience, to lay a common foundation for national and European debates.