Session II Energy justice and the industry competitiveness: a mutually beneficial partnership
Previous years have seen tremendous advancements in the rollout of new socially-driven technologies aimed at empowering citizens to become prosumers. As the \u2018yellow vests\u2019 movement highlights, citizens are asking for more social justice and argue that industry remains the privileged player. At the same time, some EU industries protest that current energy and climate policies may hinder their competitiveness and investment attractiveness. Europe\u2019s Energy Union has left a legacy for the next mandate \u2013 a legacy which has the potential to allow for Europe\u2019s full decarbonisation. For this to happen, it is time to close the policy book and start implementing measures that are socially just and inclusive while maintaining the competitiveness of Europe\u2019s industry sector.\n\nWhat can be done to ensure that industry remains competitive while avoiding a social backlash?\nAre current policies effective in supporting the integration of citizens within energy systems or do we have to move in another direction?\nHow can we ensure a level playing field so that all actors \u2013 companies and citizens \u2013 can benefit from the transition to a low-carbon economy?\n\nSPEAKERS\n\nOlivier Biancarelli, Executive Vice-President of Impact and Customer Solutions at ENGIE; Chief Executive Officer of Tractebel\n\nStephanie Brancaforte, Executive Director at Change.org, Italy\n\nOlivier Grabette, Executive Vice-President of the R\xe9seau de Transport d'\xc9lectricit\xe9 (RTE)\n\nMark Radka, Brand Chief of Energy, Climate and Technology in the Economy Division at UN Environment\n\nMaria Spyraki MEP, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy at the European Parliament\n\nMODERATOR\n\nDharmendra Kanani, Director of Insights at Friends of Europe