For the first time in human history, we are witnessing the emergence of a single, tightly coupled social and ecological system on a planetary scale. We face multiple, overlapping challenges, and the global landscape is shifting at unprecedented speed, technologically, geopolitically, and economically. Societies are transforming from industrial economies into knowledge based ones.

The European Union once again stands at a crossroads. It finds itself caught between the urgency to act and the temptation to remain reactive, constantly adjusting to pressures from external actors rather than shaping its own future. How to address multiple challenges at the same time, in a world moving from rule based to power based governance, while preserving core European values and science based policymaking, is central to our future.

Europe faces a clear choice. The announced2024-29 policy agenda presents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the EU’s economy and achieve the ambitious targets set out in the European Green Deal, fully recover from the COVID-19crisis, enhance European competitiveness, and strengthen Europe’s resilience. This requires a full-scale reform of the current socio-economic system, as today the way natural resources are used for economic activities is the cause of many of the world’s most pressing issues. Instead of an economy based on maximising extraction and production, adopting a more holistic view of Europe’s prosperity is necessary.

Europe faces a clear choice. The announced2024-29 policy agenda presents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the EU’s economy and achieve the ambitious targets set out in the European Green Deal, fully recover from the COVID-19crisis, enhance European competitiveness, and strengthen Europe’s resilience. This requires a full-scale reform of the current socio-economic system, as today the way natural resources are used for economic activities is the cause of many of the world’s most pressing issues. Instead of an economy based on maximising extraction and production, adopting a more holistic view of Europe’s prosperity is necessary.

Contrary to public perception, the four biggest European political groups are not advocating moving backwardson the EGD, but they are disagreeing on the way forward. The European Green Deal is viewed by all as essentialfor Europe’s prosperity. A common narrative around improving competitiveness, enhancing security, decreasing the cost of living, and improving citizen wellbeing would addres.