Vera Rocha’s Post

This report discusses potential role of demand-side policies to stimulate investments in more sustainable products and strengthen European heavy industry.

🚨 New Article in the Journal of Sustainability! 🌍🏙️ 📄 "Overcoming Resistance to Carbon Trading: Lessons from Global City Experiences" by Simon Donkoh, (AICP Candidate, Fisher Associates; University of Cincinnati) Cities worldwide are turning to Carbon Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) as a market-based tool to reduce carbon emissions. Yet, many face considerable opposition that threatens implementation. In this article, Donkoh explores diverse sources of resistance from the public, political authorities, industries, and advocacy groups, drawing on case studies from Europe, Asia, and the Global South. The study outlines targeted strategies cities have used to overcome these barriers, offering a globally informed, practical synthesis for policymakers. 🔎 What does this article reveal? ✅ Public, political, industrial, and interest group resistance stems from fairness concerns, economic impacts, ideology, and trust issues ✅ Transparent design, phased implementation, and public engagement are widely effective in building support ✅ Context-specific tools such as consumer compensation or carbon equalisation are vital in certain settings ✅ Successful ETS implementation requires long-term vision, adaptive governance, and sustained stakeholder engagement 📖 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e_U5tNqY ✍️ Handling editor: Kris Hartley #CarbonMarkets #ClimatePolicy #UrbanGovernance #Sustainability #Decarbonization #JournalOfSustainability #CarbonPricing #ClimateAction

A new energy industrial strategy approach is emerging — one that supportss clean and advanced technologies by aligning them with strategic priorities. Even with new approaches and initiatives, a fundamental challenge remains: How do nations build competitive industries in clean technologies while navigating technological uncertainty, international competition, and political constraints? The NEIS Center seeks to develop answers to this and other core questions to help policymakers consider practical answers across multiple dimensions — from international coordination to local implementation and from strategic planning through measuring outcomes.  Jonas Nahm explores some of the pressing questions facing policymakers and industry leaders as they consider how to implement a new green industrial strategy: https://bit.ly/43vmu2k

To uphold its sovereignty, strengthen its resilience and boost its competitiveness, Europe must accelerate its environ­mental transition.   This requires mobilizing more capital (attracting major investors) and channeling its savings towards the right solutions.   Europe is home to a multitude of small and medium-sized companies offering viable, proven environmental solutions. They are ready to grow, they just need support to become tomorrow’s leaders.   We explore this conviction in our recently published White Paper on Europe’s untapped strengths, where we identify 5 key environmental sub-sectors to prioritize for investment: 🔹Water and pollution management (addressing resource scarcity and health-related challenges) 🔹Sustainable agriculture (ensuring food safety, territorial resilience, and economic competitiveness) 🔹Adaptation to extreme weather phenomena (protecting physical assets, maintaining essential services) 🔹Waste and recycling (meeting growing infrastructure demand and transitioning to circular economy models) 🔹Energy transition (continuing the shift to renewables and managing grid stress, especially with rising AI demand) At Eurazeo, we finance €5.7 billion in solutions, €2.1bn of which directly address environmental challenges, for example: 🌾Bioline Agrosciences: a leader in biological products, offering natural alternatives to pesticides  ⚡️Electra: specialized in fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles We call on investors and individuals to follow our lead and urgently scale what matters. 👉 Link to our White Paper in comments.

🌍 New publication released! Trinomics is pleased to have collaborated with Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI and VITO on the recently published Joint Research Centre study: Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Circular Economy Transition in the EU Steel Sector.   The steel industry is one of Europe’s most energy and resource-intensive sectors, but it is also a cornerstone of the green transition. This study explores how circular economy strategies, from higher-quality recycling to extending product lifetimes can reshape the sector’s future. 🔑 Highlights from the analysis: ▪️ Circular measures could deliver up to 99 Mt CO₂ savings per year by 2050.  ▪️They could cut EU demand for ores and fossil fuels significantly (27% and 28% decrease in demand respectively), strengthening energy security and reducing import dependency.  ▪️Lower imports mean an improved trade balance of around €7 billion annually for the EU.  ▪️However, there are also economic trade-offs, with possible reductions in employment and gross value added in core steel-related sectors, showing the need for well-designed policy mixes and further research. The study demonstrates the importance of combining different modelling approaches (environmental, economic, and trade-related) to fully capture the impacts of circular economy transitions, and calls for careful policy design and further research. With the right policy mix and stakeholder coordination, the circular economy can be a powerful lever for reducing emissions, strengthening EU competitiveness, and securing a more sustainable future.  👉 Explore the full study here: https://lnkd.in/dMs8YW8G Congratulations to our expert colleagues: Foivos Petsinaris, Laurent Zibell, and Maja Lardot!

Europe can decarbonize its heavy industries and stay competitive. It’s not a dream, it’s data-backed. According to a new modelling paper just published (below) by CMCC Foundation - Centro Euro Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici & others, the pathway to industrial decarbonization is not only possible, it’s feasible... if we do it right. The research confirms what many of us in the sustainability and climate-tech space have long sensed: transformation won’t come from blanket subsidies or one-size-fits-all policies. Instead, success lies in sector-specific strategies, electrification, smart imports of green intermediates (like low-carbon steel or green hydrogen), and targeted support that strengthens, not distorts, competitiveness. I think it’s a refreshing message, a proof that Europe can lead the low-carbon transition without sacrificing industrial strength. Yet, it’s also a reminder: Technical feasibility ≠ political reality. The modelling is optimistic, but implementation still depends on political will, cross-border coordination, and trade frameworks that reward decarbonization instead of penalizing it. This is where leadership matters, not just from policymakers, but from industries, innovators, and investors who can turn scenarios into systems change. What do you think? Share if you found it helpful ♻️ #Decarbonization #IndustrialTransition #Climate #GreenIndustry #Sustainability #climatetech #electrification https://lnkd.in/gecp9u4F

Next week’s Competitiveness Council on 29 September comes at a pivotal time for EU industrial policy. Ministers will have the opportunity to start debating what enabling conditions are necessary to align a 90% climate target by 2040 with a competitive, resilient industrial base. The discussion can shape the European Council’s decision in October and guide the design of the upcoming Industrial Accelerator Act. A few key files are on the table: 🔹 The European Competitiveness Fund can support both cleantech scale-up and process transformation in energy-intensive sectors. Principles such as a focus on strategic technologies and a European preference for investment can unlock private capital and speed up project deployment. 🔹The Single Market strategy can help create lead markets for net-zero products. Introducing sustainability and Made in Europe criteria for public procurement could build predictable demand, reward frontrunners, and reduce technology dependencies. Ministers can send a clear signal that industrial competitiveness and climate neutrality go hand in hand if the right tools are in place. Neil Makaroff and Tristan Beucler summarised the key debates ahead of next week's meeting. Read their blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehbmwuw4

Microplastics are no longer an invisible environmental problem. They’re now found in oceans, rivers, soils, and even in the food and water we consume. From tightening regulations and emerging litigation to opportunities in circular packaging and recycled materials, microplastics have become a financially material issue for global markets. Read our new research in collaboration with Planet Tracker "Microplastics: Macro Risks and the Cost of Inaction", to explore key findings, sector analysis, and investor takeaways. http://ms.spr.ly/6040sfEdy

I’m pleased to announce that our latest research, “Strategic Capabilities for Sustainability: An Integrated Model of Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Performance,” has been published in Sustainable Development (SSCI Q1, Impact Factor: 8.2, CiteScore: 14.5, Acceptance Rate: 7%). This work integrates digital financial inclusion, human capital, and sustainable performance, contributing to the ongoing global dialogue on sustainable development and agricultural transformation.

🔬 Analytical Research – The Foundation of Meaningful Innovation At EcoCompagnone, we believe that every successful EU-funded project begins with rigorous analytical research. From defining baseline data to evaluating material performance and environmental impact, research ensures that each innovation stands on solid evidence — not assumptions. Analytical methods help partners across Europe align science with real-world needs, enabling transparent evaluation, credible sustainability metrics, and stronger policy relevance. In the rapidly evolving fields of circular economy, bio-based materials, and digital construction, data-driven analysis is what transforms good ideas into lasting impact. By prioritizing analytics, we not only meet EU research standards — we build trust, accountability, and measurable progress toward a greener, smarter Europe. #EUResearch #Innovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ECOCOMPAGNONE #ResearchExcellence #ScienceForImpact