This breakfast dialogue will delve into the critical role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in achieving Europe’s net-zero emissions targets. As the world confronts the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CCS presents a vital solution for decarbonizing hard-to- abate industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals. These sectors face significant challenges in reducing emissions through conventional means, and CCS offers a pathway to capture and store carbon dioxide, enabling them to continue operating while meeting climate goals.

This session will explore the latest technological innovations in CCS, the policy frameworks needed to accelerate its deployment, and the investment strategies required to scale it effectively. Given Europe’s ambition to lead the global green transition, the conversation will also address how the region can capitalize on its strengths in cleantech innovation, market formation, and supportive policies to drive CCS technology forward. This breakfast will provide a platform for discussing the opportunities and challenges in unlocking CCS at scale, ensuring it becomes a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonization strategy.

Scaling cleantech companies in Europe has never been more urgent—or challenging. While the EU aims to lead the global clean energy transition and lessen its dependence on energy imports, investment and deployment hurdles continue to hold back homegrown innovators from commercial success. At the same time, new companies are proving that European industrial companies can break through with the right conditions. The global clean tech market is expected to triple by 2035, presenting enormous opportunities. However, while the roll-out of clean technologies is increasing in the EU, Europe’s global market share is falling and manufacturing is lagging. This panel aims to explore the urgent and complex challenge of scaling cleantech companies in Europe. As the EU pushes to lead the global clean energy transition, European innovators face significant obstacles in securing the investment and conditions necessary for success. This session will examine the factors contributing to these challenges, explore the strategies that could overcome them, and discuss how Europe can regain its competitiveness in the rapidly growing global cleantech market.

Scaling cleantech companies in Europe has never been more urgent—or challenging. While the EU aims to lead the global clean energy transition and lessen its dependence on energy imports, investment and deployment hurdles continue to hold back homegrown innovators from commercial success. At the same time, new companies are proving that European industrial companies can break through with the right conditions. The global clean tech market is expected to triple by 2035, presenting enormous opportunities. However, while the roll-out of clean technologies is increasing in the EU, Europe’s global market share is falling and manufacturing is lagging. This panel aims to explore the urgent and complex challenge of scaling cleantech companies in Europe. As the EU pushes to lead the global clean energy transition, European innovators face significant obstacles in securing the investment and conditions necessary for success. This session will examine the factors contributing to these challenges, explore the strategies that could overcome them, and discuss how Europe can regain its competitiveness in the rapidly growing global cleantech market.

The Clean Industrial Deal is central to Europe’s strategy to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking, chemicals, and aviation. EU initiatives have spurred progress, but hurdles persist. It is essential to explore a wide range of sustainable solutions to accelerate the energy transition and to address the challenges that remain.

To become a global leader in the energy transition, Europe must adopt a balanced approach, blending green and low-carbon hydrogen strategies. Political action is needed to streamline permitting, foster public-private partnerships, and create a regulatory environment that supports infrastructure growth. This panel will explore the role of hydrogen in accelerating decarbonisation, the policies required to scale its use and foster public-private partnerships and how Europe can collaborate with global partners to build resilient hydrogen supply chains that are efficient and cost-effective. Therefore, effective governance and political leadership will be key to unlocking the full potential of these solutions and ensuring Europe’s role in the future energy landscape.

Circular economy principles are essential to reducing resource waste and driving sustainable growth in the energy sector. Under the Circular Economy Action Plan, Europe has set ambitious targets, including increasing the recycling of critical materials and reducing landfill use. Innovation in recycling technologies remains a key priority. However, challenges remain in finding reliable markets for recycled materials, as demand can be unpredictable. The water sector also faces hurdles, especially when it comes to meeting EU requirements on water use and treatment. This panel will focus on recent breakthroughs in recycling renewable energy systems, such as water-saving solutions, and explore how circular economy models can minimise environmental impact while maximising resource recovery. It will also examine the role of policy and private investment in accelerating the adoption of circular energy solutions, bringing us to also consider the following:

• What role does the Ecodesign Regulation play in enhancing material recovery and advancing circular economy goals in the energy sector?
• What are the main challenges outlined in the Commission's Waste Early Warning Report, and how can these be addressed to improve recycling and reduce landfilling?
• How can policy frameworks and private investment foster innovation in recycling technologies and the broader adoption of circular energy solutions?

Transport accounts for nearly 25% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, making its decarbonisation critical to achieving climate neutrality. Electrification, biofuels, and hydrogen-based solutions are at the forefront of this transition; yet, barriers such as charging infrastructure gaps and high costs persist. This panel will explore how to scale electricvehicle infrastructure to meet the EU’s Fit for 55 targets, the potential of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels for aviation and shipping, and policies to encourage sustainable transport modes while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

As Europe aims to lead the world in sustainability, the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) represents a bold new vision to transform European industries and foster green innovation. However, the transition comes with significant challenges—particularly in balancing the need for industrial competitiveness with the urgent drive towards decarbonisation.

This panel will explore how the CID can drive industrial transformation through strategic investments in clean technologies and clearer regulations. The focus areas will include electrification as a key decarbonisation tool, scaling renewable energy, and shifting from supply-side to demand-side solutions, with key topics covering long-term contracts (PPAs), streamlined grid connections, and the integration of both innovative and mature technologies to drive a sustainable future.

In response to Europe’s energy challenges, the EU has taken significant steps to strengthen energy security, stabilise markets, and accomodate the transition to renewable energy. The 2022 REPowerEU plan aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2030 through diversification, improved efficiency, and renewable energy sources. Reforms to the electricity market are addressing price volatility and ensuring affordability, while efforts to integrate energy markets and enhance infrastructure demonstrate the EU’s commitment to resilience. This dialogue seeks to foster collaboration among member states, policymakers, and experts, encouraging joint efforts to advance EU energy goals and strengthen long-term energy security.

As the world accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, securing financing for green initiatives is critical to ensure both sustainability and competitiveness. With the shift away from fossil fuels, industries face the challenge of managing upfront costs while staying competitive on the global stage. Public and private finance mechanisms, such as green bonds and climate finance, are vital in scaling up clean technologies and sustainable infrastructure. However, mobilizing investment must be done carefully to avoid jeopardizing industrial performance or creating disparities between regions. This panel will explore how to effectively finance the green transition while protecting economic interests, unlocking innovative funding sources, and fostering green growth without compromising industrial competitiveness.

As Europe transitions towards clean energy, its ageing grid infrastructure faces mounting challenges in supporting the rapid growth of renewables. The EU, with the new Clean Industrial Deal, aims to address these barriers through modernisation and expansion, but aligning infrastructure with Europe’s energy ambitions will require to explore new investment opportunities. This session will focus on the transformative potential of advanced grid technologies, such as superconductors and integrated energy storage, as well as enhanced interconnection projects to bolster resilience. It will also explore the regulatory frameworks and financing mechanisms needed to attract private capital and fast-track the grid upgrades essential for Europe’s clean energy vision.

In recent years, international partners have displayed shifting policies and priorities concerning the transition to renewable energy sources. Across the globe, the landscape of energy production and consumption is changing. While these bring new opportunities for collaboration, they also bring a range of challenges that must be addressed to ensure a sustainable and competitive green transition. The European Union has set ambitious objectives to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal that necessitates a strategic assessment of its partnerships with other countries and international organizations. The dynamic nature of these developments, combined with varying regional contexts and levels of commitment to climate goals, requires a nuanced approach to international cooperation

How should the EU approach its international collaborations to ensure alignment with its green transition goals, and can the EU lead by example in building sustainable infrastructures.

The Energy Union is a cornerstone of Europe’s strategy for a secure, sustainable, and resilient energy future, underpinned by a commitment to energy security, market integration, efficiency, climate action, and innovation.

Europe has made notable strides in advancing renewable energy, reinforcing energy resilience, and driving progress in the electrification of heating and building renovations. However, addressing high energy prices remains critical to enhancing the competitiveness of European industry and fostering the infrastructure investments needed for a sustainable future. Likewise, ensuring alignment across EU member states on the ambitious 2030 goals, providing a clear and unified path forward, appears crucial.

This session will explore the advancements in diversifying energy sources, improving market integration, and reducing emissions, while also addressing the challenges posed by high energy prices and the continued need for further electrification.

As Europe’s energy landscape evolves, the role of gas in the energy mix remains a critical point of debate. Growing competition for LNG, evolving regulations, and shifting geopolitics are redefining Europe’s approach to energy security and climate goals. Navigating challenges like securing a stable, diversified supply without overreliance on specific sources, and addressing capacity constraints in the short term, requires careful balance and brings us to also consider the following:

• What is the place of gas in Europe’s energy mix in the short term, given evolving political and economic uncertainties? In this context, how can Europe ensure gas remains a key part of its energy strategy without compromising decarbonization?
• How do increased LNG imports impact both economic and environmental goals? And how can investments in gas infrastructure align with long-term sustainability?
• How can Europe balance competitiveness, market stability, and affordability in the role of gas in the energy mix while adapting to shifting political and geopolitical dynamics?

As Europe’s energy landscape evolves, the role of gas in the energy mix remains a critical point of debate. Growing competition for LNG, evolving regulations, and shifting geopolitics are redefining Europe’s approach to energy security and climate goals. Navigating challenges like securing a stable, diversified supply without overreliance on specific sources, and addressing capacity constraints in the short term, requires careful balance and brings us to also consider the following:

• What is the place of gas in Europe’s energy mix in the short term, given evolving political and economic uncertainties? In this context, how can Europe ensure gas remains a key part of its energy strategy without compromising decarbonization?
• How do increased LNG imports impact both economic and environmental goals? And how can investments in gas infrastructure align with long-term sustainability?
• How can Europe balance competitiveness, market stability, and affordability in the role of gas in the energy mix while adapting to shifting political and geopolitical dynamics?