Europe’s industrial renewal needs strong regional foundations

Europe’s industrial renewal needs strong regional foundations

How can Europe deliver a competitive, resilient and decarbonised industrial future? A new briefing by E3G highlights one essential ingredient: strong local and regional foundations. 

E3G is an independent climate change think tank working to translate climate politics, economics and policy into action. With offices including in Brussels, E3G works across climate, energy, industrial strategy and sustainable finance, bringing together research, policy expertise and coalitions to advance solutions for a safe climate. 

Their new briefing, Europe’s Industrial Renewal Needs Local and Regional Foundations: Strengthening Subnational Capacity to Deliver, argues that Europe’s industrial transition will ultimately be delivered in places. Local and regional authorities have unique knowledge of their economies, skills, infrastructure and innovation ecosystems, making them essential partners in turning European ambitions into concrete actions. 

The report identifies five key levers for local and regional delivery: mobilising investment, navigating permitting, planning energy and transport infrastructure, coordinating skills and workforce transitions, and building collaborative innovation ecosystems. The briefing calls for a stronger role for regions and cities in three key areas of EU policy: the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, the governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation, and the Industrial Accelerator Act. 

ERRIN and the EU offices of Normandy Region and Cities Northern Netherlands contributed expertise and feedback to the development of the briefing, alongside a range of European regional and local stakeholders. For ERRIN, the message is clear: European industrial policy can only succeed if it is connected to the regions and cities that will deliver it. 

Read the full E3G briefing: Europe’s Industrial Renewal Needs Local and Regional Foundations