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

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.

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.

• Basic documents on climate-friendly raw materials: Four national round tables were held in Poland, Spain and Hungary with participants from industry, politics, science and civil society. The results were summarised in four synthesis reports (for Poland, Hungary, Spain and the entire European Union) in order to create a common basis for national and European debates on climate-friendly raw materials. In addition, scientific findings and national debates were summarised in briefings and background papers.  
• Focus on inclusive change: At another European round table, representatives of the national formats and international actors exchanged views on the topic of ‘inclusive change’, thereby deepening their understanding and knowledge in order to actively shape this change.