Mr Georg Riekeles

Associate Director, Head of Europe’s Political Economy Programme

European Policy Centre

Biography

Before joining the EPC, Georg served as diplomatic adviser to the EU’s Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and Head of strategy, media and diplomatic relations in the European Commission’s Task force for EU-UK negotiations.

Previously, Georg was an adviser for security and defence at the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), the European Commission’s in-house think tank. In that capacity he helped initiate and develop Commission initiatives in the areas of defence as part of President Juncker’s programme, and worked on EU-NATO relations.

Georg also served as member of cabinet to Commission Vice-President and commissioner Michel Barnier in the period 2010-2014, working on single market reforms, industrial and digital policies, as well as inter-institutional relations in the context of the post-financial crisis regulatory agenda.

Before moving to Belgium, Georg worked in the French Ministry of Foreign and European affairs and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors in France.

Georg holds a master’s degree in political science from l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and studied economics and philosophy at the London School of Economics.

Presentation Abstract

Can Europe still be a leader in green industries?

Europe likes to think of itself as a leader in green innovation and industries. The reality is different: it is both punching below its weight in climate-technologies and innovation, and facing strong competitive pressures on its value-chains from China and now the United States, as highlighted by the US Inflation Reduction Act. In February this year, the European Commission presented a Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality. The Plan aims to provide a more supportive environment for the scaling up of the EU's manufacturing capacity for the net-zero technologies and products. Where does this plan stand? Can Europe still be a leader in green industries?

Presentation Time

Business Forum

Thursday, 14 September 2023, 09:30 - 10:15

FEICA Conference