Europe's Balancing Act: Security, Competitiveness & the Future of Sustainability

With mounting geopolitical tensions, rising defense spending, and economic uncertainty, Europe faces a critical challenge: Can it maintain its leadership in sustainability while ensuring security and economic competitiveness? Meanwhile, the ESG backlash in the US raises questions about the future of responsible investing—will Europe double down or retreat? This session tackles:

• Security vs. Sustainability – How rising defense and energy independence priorities impact the EU’s Green Deal and ESG commitments.

• The ESG Pushback – What Europe can learn from the US backlash against ESG and how it affects capital flows.

• EU’s Global Role – Can Europe remain a leader in sustainable finance while balancing economic and security pressures?

• What’s Next? – How businesses, investors, and policymakers can adapt to the evolving landscape.