Sustainability advocates are assessing changes that the new administration of President-elect Trump, due to take office in January, may make in U.S. environmental policies. Concerns include potential withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Accords, cuts to investments in renewable energy, and changes in enforcement of climate-related reporting at the federal level.
The sustainability outlook is further clouded by limited outcomes at COP29. The UN Climate Change Conference was held in November in Azerbaijan, the third petrostate in a row to host the annual event (following the UAE in 2023 and Egypt in 2022).
All is not lost, however: This state of affairs offers an opportunity for Europe to strengthen and expand its role as a sustainability leader. The EU should seize this moment to reinforce its commitment to sustainability and spark a global renewal of the climate agenda.
The need for climate action is growing more urgent by the day. Scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service have predicted that 2024 will be the hottest year on record and the first calendar year in which global temperatures will have warmed 1.5C above pre-industrial times. Scientists warn that, after this threshold is crossed, Earth may reach the tipping point at which the catastrophic effects of global warming cannot be averted.
The European Green Deal
The ambitious goals of the EU’s Green Deal aim to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The EU now has a chance to double down on these efforts and lead by example. By investing in renewable energy, promoting sustainable manufacturing and agriculture, and driving social sustainability initiatives, Europe can not only reduce its carbon footprint but also create a robust, future-ready, and sustainable economy.
Such leadership can inspire other regions to follow suit, fostering global collaboration in the fight against climate change, wider environmental damage, and the deepening societal divide.
Europe’s diverse landscape allows for a variety of innovative approaches to sustainability. From Germany’s Energiewende (energy transition) to Portugal’s solar energy projects, Finland’s circular economy strategy, and Denmark’s wind energy initiatives, there’s a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be shared and expanded upon. Businesses — in collaboration with each other and innovative start-ups — must lead the way, while politicians should continue to build investment security via concise and reliable regulatory frameworks.
Digital Technologies for Sustainability
A crucial element in achieving sustainability leadership is the deployment of digital technologies, including:
• IoT and AI to optimize energy use, reduce waste, and improve the efficiency of supply chains
• Digital platforms and automation to facilitate greater transparency in environmental reporting and compliance, ensuring that sustainable practices are maintained and improved
• Geospatial intelligence combined with AI to enable climate adaptation and help to manage climate risk
• Digital twins supporting R&D and innovation processes to develop new, sustainable business models as well as approaches to enable reverse logistics, remanufacturing, and recycling of products and materials
By embracing these technologies and driving innovation initiatives, Europe can enhance its sustainability performance as well as serve as a beacon for other regions looking to adopt similar practices.
Tech vendors have an opportunity to support these developments and benefit in the medium and long term. We predict spending on ESG sustainability tech products/services in EMEA to grow by 19% on average over the next five years, reaching $104 billion in 2027.
To gain a share of this market, tech vendors should innovate responsibly and sustainably, keeping in mind the impact of technology itself (e.g., the energy consumption of AI use) as well as the impact of technology use cases (e.g., downstream Scope 3 emissions resulting from the use phase of products or services).
In conclusion, the results of the U.S. elections present a unique opportunity for Europe to strengthen and solidify its role as a global sustainability leader. By continuing to innovate and invest in sustainability technologies, Europe can pave the way for a more sustainable future for all — while at the same time establishing the conditions for future growth. The current headwinds can be transformed into future tailwinds for European business and economy.
For more information on the tech vendor opportunities, watch our latest webcast: Sustainability Headwinds: Re-Energizing Your Momentum for the Sustainability Tech Opportunity.