The ongoing health and economic crises are having a devastating impact on European industry. Measures to slow down the spread of COVID-19, for example, have led to significant disruptions in supply chains. Given the dependency of the European economy on imported raw materials, material supply chains are a potential Achilles heel for European industry in a time of global crisis. This can also have serious consequences for Europe’s quest to become climate-neutral, as set out in the European Green Deal.

This online Policy Dialogue, organised with the support of  European Aluminium, discussed how the EU can access the materials it needs to help make the economy more competitive and climate-neutral whilst also taking into account the impact of the coronavirus crisis on global supply chains. Marius Vaščega, Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Sinkevičius, stressed that the topic of material supply chains is more important than ever with the pandemic revealing the vulnerability of our economic model and that we should diversify EU's material supply chains for the benefit of our economy, planet and environment.

The event was moderated by Annika Hedberg, Head of the EPCs Sustainable Prosperity for Europe programme.