Ideas Lab 2023: Moving Europe from darkness into light
With Russia’s war of aggression, the EU’s central mission – to bring peace and prosperity to Europe – has become more difficult but it is now even more essential than ever before. The war has vividly illustrated the importance of shared values and the enhanced security that common institutions can create. As Jean Monnet predicted: ‘Europe will be forged in crises and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises’. 12 months after the start of the war it is time to evaluate whether the EU’s adopted responses have worked. Have they created the more resilient Union that we need to safely navigate a much more dangerous world?
The 2023 edition of Ideas Lab will examine how well the EU has fared in facing up to the challenges of the last year and will critically examine what has worked and what still needs to be changed.
Early on the first day, we will look at the state of public opinion. How have Europeans reacted to these unprecedented challenges? Is there a new willingness to forge common policies in energy, security and defence? After the Opening Plenary, the lab sessions will examine the many policy issues currently facing the EU in further detail. It is not enough to have a grand strategy – policy must work and be implemented properly to yield tangible benefits.
This is the unique added value the Ideas Lab offers: hundreds of experts who can dissect EU policies in many domains under one roof, in the presence of the policymakers who actively participate in the deliberations. As many points of view as possible will be represented, ensuring a lively and boisterous discussion.
Our CEO Linda Zeilina will join the discussion about Sustainable Finance.
14:30 - 15:45 on 28 February
Sustainable Finance: between greenwashing and genuine sustainability
Over the past years, interest in the topic of sustainable finance has seen a phenomenal rise. With this have come many instances of greenwashing, and greenwishing. Despite the vast sums invested in ESG funds, it is difficult to ascertain the real impact on the environment and society. We have also seen growing criticism and scepticism about ESG claims and sustainable investing. Meanwhile, we face a reality of growing exposure to climate risks. The recent energy crisis calls for more capital flows into genuinely sustainable businesses and activities. Can the European Commission’s initiatives like the EU Taxonomy, its Green Bonds Standard, and net-zero transition plans drive the change we need to see? Can, and will, the business sector change its practices – and what would be the key enablers for accelerating the transition?
Christine Würfel, Head of Sustainability, Raiffeisen International
Linda Zeilina, CEO, International Sustainable Finance Centre (ISFC)
Thorsten Beck, Director of the Florence School of Banking and Finance and Professor of Financial Stability, European University Institute (EUI) (moderator)
The full event programme is available on the event website.
The event is by invitation only