This was stated by the Commission President who is starting his second term. Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament in July. In the same speech, he strongly highlighted competitiveness as his first priority for the coming term.
In recent months, issues related to competitiveness have come to the fore more than ever in the European debate. At the beginning of the year, a declaration on European industrial policy was adopted in Antwerp, there was a lot of talk about competitiveness in the elections, and clean technology cooperation is also on the agenda in the EU's international relations. The continuation of the Green Deal therefore seems to be getting an even stronger spice from competitiveness.
The door to a more balanced EU policy is therefore ajar. In order to open it properly, the competitiveness discourse needs to move from words to deeds. Something is puzzling here: the implementation and effects of the legislative reforms implemented in the last term are pressing behind the door. They make the competitiveness objectives even more challenging.
A large amount of European legislation is awaiting its details, either through regulations issued by the Commission or through implementation by the member states. Equally, numerous new legislative packages are just about to enter into force. The broad line of environmental and climate policy will not change, but will continue towards strengthening sustainability and reducing emissions.
However, there is now new momentum in Europe for the continuation of the green transition, where industry is being taken into account more than before. The exit from the fossil economy will not happen by itself, and Europe has woken up to the activity of other world trade powers. Competition is fierce, and there is a risk in the Union that we will regulate ourselves in the traditional way. We need encouragement, enabling and a competitive operating environment.
From the perspective of the Finnish forest value chain, it is important that regulations on the circular economy and products take into account the renewability of raw materials and their sustainable procurement. The sustainability of all kinds of products is a concrete target of regulations that also concerns us consumers. Here, value must be given to renewability and biodegradability.
In developing the bioeconomy, it is important to remember, even at the European level, that the bioeconomy is not just about food and medicine, but also about the versatile use of wood-based materials. Material efficiency and new innovations require, for example, increased research investments – and above all, markets that encourage the replacement of fossil raw materials. The capture and use or storage of bio-based carbon dioxide also creates promising prospects. The development of this sector can open up great opportunities for Finland in the long term, but in order to succeed, this requires not only solving many practical issues but also bold political decisions. We are therefore urging Europe to be a pioneer in this area as well.
These are examples of concrete actions we expect from decision-makers in the current period. The forest-based value chain is ready to strengthen self-sufficiency, secure well-being and help in the green transition. Together we can make it happen.
Paula Lehtomaki
Managing director, CEO
Finnish Forest Industry Association
