Transition pathways for European industrial ecosystems

Background on the transition pathways

A twin transition for resilience

The twin transition of green and digital are each other’s prerequisites if done right and should be developed in tandem to avoid working in opposition with each other. At the same time, the resilience of the industry, meaning the ability to continue business during unforeseen crises or despite disruptions in value chains, is crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the transition.

We can only achieve the goal of a green, digital and resilient economy with the direct involvement of the stakeholders of key industrial ecosystems underpinning the fabric of European industry.

Pathways for transition

Each industrial ecosystem must transform its business models and value chains to become the foundation of a green, digital and resilient European economy.

But such transitions require concrete and actionable plans (transition pathways) developed for each of the industrial ecosystems.

Blueprint for transition

The European Commission and the EU’s Industrial Forum have developed a blueprint for the transition pathways of industrial ecosystems. It consists of the most important elements that need to be addressed in an actionable plan to make the transition possible.

These elements include

• infrastructure
• investments and funding
• regulation and public governance
• research & innovation, techniques and technological solutions
• skills
• social dimension
• sustainable competitiveness

Co-creation of the transition

The process of designing and planning a transition pathway for each industrial ecosystem is open and inclusive. For each ecosystem, there will be a Commission staff working document outlining different scenarios for the transition. These documents will be published individually for public consultation.

Following the public consultation, the Commission and the industrial ecosystem stakeholders will draft a pathway and seek consultation on it from the Industrial Forum before adoption. Similarly, the Industrial Forum will follow the implementation of the pathway.

We will hold open calls for each pathway, where stakeholders can commit to the implementation.

Overview of transition pathway progress per ecosystem

Priority Ecosystems

Additional Ecosystems