Von der Leyen spoke of a ‘boiling planet’ leading to extreme temperatures, droughts, storms and forest fires. “The European Green Deal was born out of a necessity to protect our planet, but also designed as an opportunity to preserve our future prosperity. We have shifted the climate agenda to being an economic one.”
She spoke in support of biodiversity and nature conservation, but also of food security and the need for strong and sustainable agriculture. The role farmers play in Europe’s food independence cannot be taken for granted, she said. The Russian war in Ukraine, among others, shows this. The Commission therefore wants to launch a strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture.
In addition, innovation and the competitiveness of European industry remain an important point of focus. “It is an economic and national security imperative to preserve a European edge on critical and emerging technologies. This European industrial policy also requires common European funding.”
Von der Leyen’s full speech can be found on the European Commission’s website.
Image: Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
