Technological leadership global level playing field and green transition the rail industrial ecosystem perspective

Rail is more than just a form of transport - it is key to Europe's sustainable future and continued industrial competitiveness. Technological leadership and a global level-playing field are key to enabling rail to contribute to wider European objectives.

Today, as part of EU Industry Week, we convened with EU decision makers, rail sector stakeholders, SME representatives and economists to discuss the importance of ensuring a level playing field for achieving EU Green Deal, COVID-19 recovery and long-term economic resilience.

Christophe GRUDLER, Member of the European Parliament’s Industry (ITRE) Committee underlined the leading role of the Rail Supply Industry for the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, as well as calls for fairer industrial competition at the global level. Véronique Andries, Chair of UNIFE’s Committee on Sustainability and Eco-design Director at Alstom also insisted on key role of Rail Supply Industry to achieve climate neutrality during our EU Industry Week session. Meanwhile, Albert Parrondo, Chair of the European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC) and Vice-President Strategy Ground Transportation Systems at Thales, added “The EU Green Deal, COVID19 recovery and wider EU goals all require innovation - Rail and ERRAC are central to our research efforts in industrial competitiveness”.

On the other hand, Veronica Elena Bocci, Coordinator of the DITECFER cluster (Tuscany Region Rail Technology District) highlighted the importance of clusters and regional industrial ecosystems to help rail supply SMEs innovate and access international markets. “The EU toolbox for confronting unfair foreign #subsidies is being developed and some instruments are already there, but it will need to be used at both the EU level and the national level to protect European industry” commented Agatha Kratz, Associate Director at Rhodium Group and expert of EU-China relations and China’s commercial diplomacy.

Philippe Citroën, Director General of UNIFE concluded the session by highlighting rail’s central role in achieving the EU Green Deal goals but remarked the need to lead in tech and enjoy a level playing field in order to deliver.

In case you missed it, watch the event here.

https://bit.ly/3l4kC9s