Green Transition and European Competitiveness Conference
On April 8, 2025, the Green Transition and European Competitiveness conference took place at the Prague University of Economics and Business. The green transition is one of the greatest challenges facing Europe today – not only in terms of climate commitments but also with regard to competitiveness, security, and the sustainability of the economy. The event was organized in relation to the introduction of a new master’s program focused on sustainability and EU´s competitiveness, and brought together experts from the public and private sectors for a highly insightful debate.
Panel I. Green Transition: State of play and the outlook: Views from Brussels and businesses
Martin Špolc (Evropská komise) emphasized that the direction of the green transition has been set – we should not change the course, but rather the narrative. He called for a holistic approach to the transformation, combining decarbonization with competitiveness, energy security, and prosperity. He introduced the concept of the “3Is” – Implementation, Industry, and Investment, stressing better policy delivery, supporting industry with affordable clean energy and financing, and attracting both private and public investments. “EU policymaking is becoming smarter,” he concluded optimistically.
Bülent Karakaya (Commerzbank AG) addressed the role of banks as catalysts for sustainable transformation. He underlined the importance of tailored advisory and financing services for high-emission sectors such as energy or aviation. He also acknowledged the unpredictability of technological development and its major impact on the shape of the green transition in the future.
Viktorie Tenzerová (Vodafone Czech Republic) stressed the need for economic sustainability to go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. Companies need clear and timely guidance to prepare their transformation plans. She emphasized energy efficiency as a key component of sustainable business and pointed out that prevention is cheaper than adaptation. However, she also warned of the lack of qualified professionals in the sustainability management and the need for clearer EU frameworks.
Pavel Farkač (Sev.en Group) drew attention to the prevailing uncertainty in the industry – particularly regarding investments, shifting regulatory frameworks, and market demand. Using energy storage systems as an example, he described how coal companies must create new legal entities to even access financing. On the topic of green hydrogen in the Czech Republic, he explained that domestic production is still uncompetitive, which prevents further investment. He concluded with a wish for a greener planet while maintaining our current living standards.
Panel II. EU Competitiveness: Untapped potential of the EU Single market and Global Challenges
Iryna Lagodna (World Bank) highlighted differences between the EU and developing countries in labor market regulations. While Europe offers important worker protections, they can sometimes slow innovation and flexibility. She emphasized the need for local and regional governments to lead by example in modernizing public services, especially through digitization.
Josef Schwarz (Representation of European Commission to Czechia) focused on financing the transition, both from public sources and household savings. He noted the low rate of investment among European citizens, especially in countries like the Czech Republic, where most people keep their money in savings. He stressed the importance of mobilizing these resources more effectively, supporting defense, green tech, and disruptive industries, while making EU financial tools more accessible and effective.
Zbyněk Smetana (Ministry of Finance, Czechia) welcomed the renewed focus on competitiveness in EU debates. He called for more targeted support tools across the full business lifecycle and for addressing EU single market limitations that hinder the scale-up of startups across the EU. According to him, regulatory fragmentation and excessive oversight stand in the way of efficient progress – and must be addressed with bold reforms.
