Re-thinking Europe

In this new episode of Rethinking Europe, we sit down with John Clarke - former Director for International Relations at the European Commission DG AGRI and the EU’s chief agriculture negotiator - to unpack the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Following the recent announcement of a 12-month delay in the EUDR implementation, we discuss the reasons behind this decision, which has been praised and criticized in equal measure. John shares insights on the implications of this delay, what changes are necessary for an effective implementation of the regulation, and the lessons learned for future green trade policies of the incoming Commission.

Welcome to the second season of Rethinking Europe, a podcast by Europe Jacques Delors, where we discuss the environment, the climate and anything in between. In this new season, we’ll delve into the EU’s trade policy and how to green it; and what the EU can do to build a strong, clean, and competitive EU industry. To kick off this season, we’re thrilled to be joined in this first episode by an industry leader, Marco Mensink, Director General of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic). Cefic was the convener of the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal backed by over 1,200 organisations across 25 sectors. In this episode, we will hear from Marco about the pressing needs and expectations of EU industries as they navigate the green transition against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions. How can the EU ensure that its industries remain strong while advancing the green transition? What kind of trade policies should the EU adopt to balance openness with competitiveness? And what can we expect from the EU in this new mandate?  Europe Jacques Delors is a Brussels-based think tank dedicated to environmental sustainability in Europe conducting high-level research on greening agri-food, greening trade as well as ocean governance and protection. If you want to learn more about Europe Jacques Delors’ work, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X and Youtube, or visit our website at www.europejacquesdelors.eu.”

In this fifth episode of Re-thinking Europe, we take a look at the international dimension of the European Green Deal. What does the EU do to promote a green transition worldwide? How does the EU engage with its partner countries to pursue this global green agenda? Which policies and initiatives have worked well, which haven’t and what can we learn going forward? Two experts on the European Green Deal and on the EU’s external relations discuss these questions and more. We are joined by Monica Frassoni, president of the European Alliance to Save Energy, president of the European Centre for Electoral Support and Europe Jacques Delors’ associate researcher for agri-food policy and green diplomacy. Koen Doens is the European Commission’s Director-General for International Partnerships and brings his expertise to the table from twenty years of experience working on humanitarian and development policy in the European Commission.  If you want to learn more about the policies discussed in this episode, check out our previous episodes and Europe Jacques Delors’ most recent publications on EU Green Diplomacy, the CBAM and the EUDR. And stay tuned for our upcoming paper taking stock of the external impacts of the EU green agenda, focusing on its trade policy in the last five years. You will find it on our website soon.Key moments: 00:22 - Introduction 03:07 – Interview with Monica Frassoni and Koen Doens 22:25 – Outro  Credits and staff:The producer of this episode of Re-thinking Europe is Helena van Thiel from Europe Jacques Delors. The editor of this episode is Futura D'Aprile, from Europod. The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego. Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

In this fourth episode of Re-thinking Europe, we explore the EU's Regulation on Deforestation-free products – the EUDR. This landmark regulation aims to tackle deforestation driven by agricultural expansion linked to the trade of certain commodities. What measures has the EU put in place to tackle global deforestation and how does the EUDR contribute to these efforts? What challenges will the EUDR pose to smallholder farmers in producer countries? How can the EU best support smallholders to adapt to the regulation and move towards more sustainable agri-food practices?We are joined by Marianne Kettunen, senior policy expert and advisor working with the Trade, Development and the Environment Hub (TRADEHub) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) BioTrade programme to unpack the negative socio-environmental impacts of agri-food supply chains, including deforestation. In addition, Louise Nakagawa, a researcher on Agricultural Supply Chains at Imaflora, and at the Brazilian Centre of Analysis and Planning offers insights into the agri-food sector and its links with deforestation in her home country, Brazil. She explains how the EUDR could impact Brazilian producers, and zooms in on some local initiatives tackling deforestation, such as the Beef on Track programme.If you’d like to learn more about the EUDR, check out our paper “GRAPE 4 – Deforestation-free agri-food supply chains: will the new EU regulation be up to the challenge”.  Key moments: 00:20 - Introduction 03:03 – Louise Nakagawa’s story 09:57 - Transition 10:30 - Direct interview with Marianne Kettunen 25:45 – Outro  Credits and staff The producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors. The editor of this episode is Futura D’Aprile, from Europod. The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego. Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

This third episode of Re-thinking Europe delves into a pivotal aspect of the EU’s trade policy: Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). With Cécile Billaux, Head of the Private Sector, Trade and Investment Unit at DG INTPA, at the European Commission, we discuss the origins, as well as the negative impacts of CRMs' extraction - associated with the EU's increasing resource demand - on people and the environment in resource-rich developing countries.  To what extent will the EU's new strategic partnerships on CRM benefit local populations and support the green transition and industrialization in partner countries? What is the EU doing to address the life-threatening impacts of mining on indigenous peoples and local communities linked with its increasing demand? How can the EU effectively reduce demand for CRMs while working towards achieving its ambitious climate objectives?  You will also hear Diego Marin, policy officer for raw materials and resource justice at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), telling us more about his journey. Diego explains the reality of mining activities on the ground and his experience at the Conga Mine, a gold and copper mining project in Cajamarca, Peru. Key moments: 00:22 - Introduction 02:28 - Diego Marin’s story 08:15 - Transition 09:07 - Direct interview with Cécile Billaux 26:21 – Outro Credits and staff The producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors. The editor of this episode is Futura D’Aprile, from Europod.The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Europod.

This second episode of Re-thinking Europe explores the EU's trade and sustainable development policies and their impact on small farmers and workers, especially in the Global South. With Sergi Corbalan, international trade advisor for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, we discuss the successes and challenges at the intersection of trade and sustainable development policy. What have been the major successes and shortcomings in the “greening” of EU trade policy over the last 4 years? What can we expect by the end of the mandate? Will the EU be able to conclude the EU-Mercosur agreement after 2 decades of negotiations? In this episode, you will also hear Virginia Enssle, International and Institutional Relations Manager at the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, telling us more about her journey as a social justice advocate.Key moments00:21 - Intro02:24 - Virginia’s story09:32 - Transition10:18 - Direct interview with Sergi Corbalan 31:56 - OutroCredits and staffThe producers of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors.The editor of this episode is Futura D'Aprile, from Bulle Media.The host and narrator of this episode is Gail Rego.Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet, from Bulle Media.Social Media & other resources https://www.linkedin.com/company/europe-jacques-delors/ https://twitter.com/DelorsEuropehttps://www.youtube.com/@europejacquesdelors2020 https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/policy-areas/trade-environment https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/greening-trade-13https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/greening-trade-14https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/a-pro-development-green-trade-agenda-for-cop-28