Christiane Brunner – CEOs for Future Climate Business Circle and Karl Sagmeister – Schneider Electric: EU leaders must send a strong signal.
As early as the beginning of 2025, all signatory states to the Paris Agreement were required to submit new targets to the UN. Many have done so, but many – including the EU – have not yet. “Especially in the current geopolitical climate, the EU must demonstrate strength. The upcoming decisions regarding the EU's position for the upcoming climate conference (COP30) in Brazil are not just about climate targets, but also about positioning Europe as a business location,” emphasizes Christiane Brunner, board member of CEOs for Future and initiator of the Climate Business Circle. Climate conferences are not only the arena for climate diplomacy, but also trade fairs. “Climate conferences are the global showcase of decarbonization. Companies from all over the world present their solutions. Anyone who wants to be at the forefront of international competition must make their presence felt here. Europe must position itself as an attractive location for investments in new technologies and solutions,” says Brunner.
Many countries are seeking solutions for their decarbonization. “Positioning ourselves internationally as pioneers in decarbonization and digital transformation opens up export and innovation opportunities,” adds Karl Sagmeister, Country President Austria at Schneider Electric. “The technologies for decarbonization and digital transformation are available – they now need to be consistently deployed. Europe is at a strategic turning point: A determined shift towards efficiency is the fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce emissions while simultaneously increasing productivity. After all, the best energy is the energy that isn't consumed in the first place. For companies to seize these opportunities, reliable political frameworks are needed that enable investment and provide planning certainty. The EU must now demonstrate leadership – not only through ambitious goals, but also through concrete implementation and economic foresight,” says Sagmeister.
CEOs for Future and the Climate Business Circle therefore supported an appeal from 130 European companies and business organizations prior to the Council meeting on October 23rd, calling for the securing of future competitiveness and technological leadership through the clear pursuit of the Clean Industrial Deal. The appeal demands:
A 90-% climate target by 2040 to send clear long-term signals
Affordable and clean energy, electrification, and the promotion of independence
Lead markets and public procurement for low-carbon products
Accelerated green tech developments and strategic investments
Mobilizing investments
Circular economy as a strategic resource
Productivity increase through acceleration of the Twin Transition (green and digital)
Cohesion and fairness – benefits of transformation for all Europeans
“The COP is a place to demonstrate competitiveness, establish export channels, and forge partnerships. We want to encourage all EU decision-makers to make clear decisions for the future and to demonstrate strength before, during, and after the COP. Companies can do this – they just need a clear framework,” said Brunner.
About the Climate Business Circle
The Climate Business Circle is an initiative of companies working on cross-sector and cross-industry solutions to leverage the economic opportunities of the transformation. It sees itself as a platform for all constructive forces and seeks exchange and connection with civil society and policymakers. The Climate Business Circle is a collaborative project of CEOs for Future and Christiane Brunner, as well as the companies Austrian Power Grid (APG), Asfinag, Coca-Cola HBC Austria, Holcim Austria, Schneider Electric, and Wiener Stadtwerke.