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As we all know, our world is facing a multitude of economic, social and environmental challenges. How, for example, do we overcome the current economic crisis and put the economy on the road to recovery while minimizing the depletion of natural resources and protecting our environment? The European Union has already positioned itself as a pioneer in the drive towards a more sustainable future. It has fixed ambitious targets to increase the share of renewables in its energy supply mix and to cut CO2 emissions. Moreover, it is tackling its dependency on the import of strategically crucial raw materials, in particular metals required in hi-tech products. Via the Raw Materials Initiative, it aims to enhance resource and energy efficiency, recycling and increasing the share of reusable materials. I am convinced that our energy and materials future must also encompass the application of “lifecycle analyses” to every material we produce. Preference should be given to cradle-to-cradle designs based on those materials which can be effectively recycled once they have reached the end of their lives. This will enable us to close the materials loop and put products on the market with significantly reduced environmental impact. While recycling has obvious benefits, it can only be truly effective when placed within a sound legislative framework. Europe’s WEEE directive on the collection and proper recycling of electric and electronic waste, for example, should serve as an example for other types of waste materials. More needs to be done, however, to further embed societal acceptance of recycling, to extend the range of legislation to a wider range of materials and to remove protectionist barriers. The fact that millions of tonnes of spent electronic and other waste continue to be shipped out of the EU to other countries, where it is often processed in extremely unsafe, unhealthy and environmentally unsound ways, is unacceptable. The difficulties currently being experienced by the automotive industry have led to an intensified debate on the future of engine technology. Whilst the industry is undergoing profound change, I am certain that the internal combustion engine will remain with us for some time to come and that there remains significant scope to further reduce emissions of harmful gases and particulates as well as improve engine efficiency. The introduction of electrified vehicles – whether hybrid, full electric or fuel cell – will continue to gather pace, however. It is important that the EU continues to push the current emission reduction agenda forward while also stimulating an accelerated market introduction of key technologies for alternative transport solutions such as rechargeable batteries and fuel cells. The challenges facing us – not just at EU level but worldwide – are varied, complex and often interwoven. In many instances though, technology solutions already exist to achieve breakthrough environmental performance and promoting their introduction in the market would create jobs, sustainably. As a materials technology company and a leading recycler our company will strive to make a telling contribution to these solutions. More than ever, we require legislation which is practical enough to tackle the problems of today and visionary enough to meet the needs of tomorrow.
What the Chiefs Say is a new public affairs platform designed for senior executives from leading organizations to voice their policies and priorities. In this first issue, business leaders present their expectations and concerns on the direction of European policymaking to the incoming European Commission and the new European Parliament.
What do YOU think? Please leave your comments at the end of the article
Over 150 think tanks and universities across Europe contribute authors and ideas to Europe’s World. This section showcases their own publications and reports and is also a bulletin board for their upcoming events.
What do YOU think are the key policy problems that Europe must resolve? What ideas need a Europe-wide airing? This section is open to your contributions.