Making the European Green Deal a lasting reality

Introduction

The European Green Deal (EGD) is a potential driver for systemic change, but there are significant barriers to its realization. The war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy and food crisis are the most recent and serious challenges. These crises have triggered various attempts to delay, or worse, water down parts of the EGD for its implementation.

Importance of Implementation

It is therefore of paramount importance to ensure the EGD stays afloat and is appropriately implemented. For this reason, building on achievements under SGA1, IEEP proposes a work programme that fosters, promotes, and scrutinizes the implementation of European sustainability policies in order to realize the ambitions of the EGD, fitting within the larger framework of SDGs.

Evidence-Based Recommendations

IEEP will continue to leverage its position in the knowledge sector to provide evidence-based recommendations to key stakeholders and decision makers. We will stick to our six thematic areas aligned with the EGD and one cross-cutting thematic area focused on the entirety of the EGD and cross-cutting instruments.

Key Milestones

Our third and fourth editions of the Green Deal Barometer will be key milestones in our work program, providing decision makers with recommendations while increasing the visibility of the EGD and encouraging scrutiny at the national level.

Strengthening Networks

We will strengthen our network of sustainable think tanks across the EU (TSE) activities and outreach and will continue coordinating our strategic Think2030 platform activities.

Focus on European Elections

Particularly, in view of the European elections, which are an important milestone in the implementation of the EGD, we will ensure, through our TSE network, that MEPs are guided by science in their electoral campaigns and that science shapes the future EC’s priorities.

Internal Capacity Building

Internally, IEEP will build further capacity within its networks, systemizing communication and engagement, and investing in human capital. These are essential investments for us to efficiently foster science-based policy making in these turbulent times for the EU.