The European Union has entered a new phase of economic and industrial policy with the 2^nd von der Leyen Commission, where competitiveness has taken centre stage—framed as a key enabler of the European Green Deal and industrial resilience. But what does this renewed focus on competitiveness mean for broader environmental goals?

This project supported the European Environment Agency (EEA) in reviewing the EU's evolving competitiveness agenda through the lens of long-term sustainability transitions. The project explored how the EU’s competitiveness discourse engages with broader sustainability concerns, particularly in relation to industry transformation, circular economy and bioeconomy. It considers potential trade-offs between competitiveness and non-climate environmental goals such as biodiversity, ecosystems, and resource use. Based on this assessment, the project identified options for how sustainability could be anchored more firmly in, and aligned with, the EU competitiveness agenda.

The project was structured into three tasks:

• Stocktake: Analysis of key EU political documents for references to non-climate sustainability goals in the context of competitiveness.
• Assessment: Evaluation of how the EU's competitiveness agenda aligns with the EEA's concept of competitive sustainability.
• Recommendations: Development of policy options to strengthen sustainability integration in future competitiveness strategies.

Ecologic Institute led the project, conducting the literature review, analytical assessment, and drafting of strategic recommendations.