Re-thinking Europe

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 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

This first episode of Re-thinking Europe focuses on a green trade regulation to be implemented at the EU level, namely the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - or EU CBAM.Featuring Maria Elena Scoppio, Director of Indirect Taxation at DG TAXUD, we discuss the ins and outs of this regulation: Is the EU CBAM an effective tool in the fight against climate change? What opportunities does it create for businesses, and why is it being criticized? How might the implementation of the CBAM affect trading partners in the Global South? As you listen to this episode, you will also have the chance to meet Sara Svensson, a young policy analyst, and discover her background, interests, perspectives and reasons that led her to work on climate and trade policies.Key moments 00:21 - Intro02:04 - Sara’s story08:29- Transition09:16 - Direct interview with Maria Elena Scoppio27:09 - OutroCredits and staff The producer of Re-thinking Europe are Florence Mabille and Teresa Vallejo, from Europe Jacques Delors.The editor of this episode is Alexander Damiano Ricci, 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/domestic-and-international-aspects-of-the-eu-cbam https://www.europejacquesdelors.eu/publications/greening-trade-14