The role of EU Regions is crucial in designing the
new industrial strategy for a greener Europe
, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
points out in an opinion drafted by
Jeannette Baljeu (NL/RE)
, Member of the Council of the Province of
Zuid-Holland
. The opinion calls for a reinforced place-based
dimension in
the new EU Industrial Strategy. This could allow
regions and cities, as the governments closest to
citizens and ecosystems, to take ownership of the
twin green and digital transitions of their
industry.
In March 2020, the European Commission published its
Communication on the new Industrial Strategy
for Europe
. The CoR welcomes its focus on industrial ecosystems.
However, it stresses that the strategy should be based
on a multi-level governance where each level is given
clear responsibilities and resources for
implementation. Moreover, the Committee stresses that
the support of all stakeholders is necessary to reach
the goals of the dual transition to a green and digital
industry.
“Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has
become more visible that our value chains are highly
dependent on each other on both a European and
international scale. This dependence shows the
importance of international trade and that at the same
time we must strengthen our European industry and where
necessary protect it" said Jeannette Baljeu, rapporteur
of the opinion
A new Industrial strategy for Europe
.
According to rapporteur Baljeu, the European Industrial
Strategy should not only focus on more competitiveness,
a smarter and greener European economy, but also on
support for industry to emerge from the economic
crisis. “We can do this by working together at all
levels of government and with all kinds of partners,
strengthening more and more local and regional
ecosystems and by promoting cross-border cooperation. A
place-based approach with an eye for regional and local
diversity is indispensable for a more competitive,
green and smart EU industry", she added.
The CoR opinion underlines that the Green Deal has to
be included at the core of the new EU Industrial
Strategy to reach climate neutrality and digital
leadership. The
Regional Innovation Strategies for Smart
Specialisation (RIS3)
are crucial in this process because they are the best
tool available to enable cooperation within regional
ecosystems and with other local ecosystems with
complementary skills, thus enabling Europe-wide value
chains and innovation pathways to be created.
Jeannette Baljeu's opinion asks the Commission to
enrich the industrial strategy with measures to help
cope with the current COVID-19-induced crisis and to
prepare for new pandemics in the future to ensure the
resilience of Europe's society and economy.
The EU annual regional and local Barometer
, published by the CoR on 12 October, contains a series
of examples of regional and local responses to the
COVID-19 crisis.
Zuid-Holland
, where Baljeu is Member of the Council of the
Province, in cooperation with other private and public
institutions such as The Hague or Rotterdam, has
launched an online platform called "Resilient Society"
where innovative companies can provide solutions for
COVID-related challenges.
Baljeu's opinion was discussed on 13 October and will
be adopted by the CoR at the end of the Plenary
session. The CoR plenary is taking place during the
European Week of Regions and Cities
.
Click
here
to read a recent interview with Jeannette Baljeu.
Contact:
Matteo Miglietta
Tel. +32 (0)2 282 2440
Mobile: +32 (0)470 895382
matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu