The European Green Deal (EGD) was launched in 2019 by the European Commission and remains a critical vehicle to ensure a climate-neutral and competitive future for Europe. The many related policy packages aim to improve European competitiveness through policy initiatives covering climate, environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and sustainable finance. Achieving this transformative agenda cannot be done by policymakers alone, it requires strong collaboration between all relevant stakeholders, including representatives from governments, business and expert communities.

In responding to the need for further public-private action in this area, the World Economic Forum at its Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2020 brought together leaders from industry and business with then Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans to explore how to support the European Green Deal. The meeting demonstrated significant interest from the private sector to mobilize a business coalition in the form of a CEO Action Group on Europe´s green transformation, working in close coordination with the European Commission.

Supported by the World Economic Forum, the CEO Action Group for the European Green Deal serves as a high-level platform for business to step up their work on climate positive action and demonstrate their commitment to the European Green Deal agenda (Joint Statement). In 2022, the group signed a Manifesto focused on six key areas of the Green Deal, including strengthening European innovation systems, accelerating the energy transition and preparing Europe’s job market for the green transition.

For further information about this initiative, please contact Marushia Gislén, Community Lead, Europe and Eurasia (marushia.gislen@weforum.org) and Alex Roth, Community Lead, Europe and Eurasia (alex.roth@weforum.org).