The Greenprint podcast series

dealing with the future of our industry and society

Competitive sustainability is where industry and businesses in general strive to balance the environmental challenges facing our society with the economic realities they face every day. To bring new insights to today's business leaders, we present “The Greenprint podcast”.

In our podcast series we explore the pivotal issues shaping the future of Europe. In each episode, we engage with a number of prominent figures who have their own perspective on the future of you, your industry and our society.

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Episode #1
Balancing green goals and economic growth

Can Europe lead the world in sustainability while staying competitive? In this episode, we delve into insights from the newly elected European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and thought leaders like Mario Draghi. Together, they champion “competitive sustainability” as the key to balancing economic growth and green leadership.

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Guests

Kurt Vandenberghe
DG Clima
Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for Climate Action at the European Commission, champions the EU Green Deal as vital for Europe’s economic and ecological future. He sees decarbonization as a driver of growth and calls for better alignment of policies to foster innovation and competitiveness. Vandenberghe stresses the importance of resilient implementation and global carbon market fairness, positioning Europe as a leader in sustainable development.
Bart Steukers
Agoria
Bart Steukers, CEO of Agoria, advocates for a balanced approach to Europe’s climate goals, emphasizing the need for realistic funding and simplified regulations. He highlights the dual impact of carbon border mechanisms, which can offer opportunities but also challenges for European industries. Steukers focuses on making sustainability investments economically viable while maintaining flexibility in industrial policy to foster innovation and resilience.
Brecht Seifi
SAS
Brecht Seifi, Lead Advisor European Institutions & Global Sustainability Lead, champions competitive sustainability, emphasizing the balance between environmental goals and profitability. He sees technology as a key accelerator, using data, AI, and machine learning to align short-term actions with long-term growth. For Seifi, sustainability must drive competitiveness while ensuring financial viability—because, ultimately, the numbers must add up.

Episode #2
Green Finance: Driving Europe’s Green Transition

Europe’s green transition demands substantial funding. Green finance plays a pivotal role in achieving ambitious climate goals. The recent Draghi Report highlights the importance of collaboration between banks, the ECB, EIB, EBA, and the European Commission to mobilize capital for sustainable projects. How do we close the investment gap to enable innovation for a greener future? How do we bring citizens along this journey? And how can Europe become a leader in clean technology?

Episode visual
Listen to the podcast
on SpotifyWatch the podcast
on YouTube

Guests

Peter De Keyzer
Growth Inc
Peter De Keyzer, a leading economist and author, questions whether the EU’s ambitious climate strategies are sustainable. He warns of the risks to Europe’s industrial competitiveness, pointing to companies relocating to the U.S. and wavering corporate commitments. De Keyzer calls for pragmatic solutions, including global CO2 pricing and embracing nuclear energy. He believes the EU must balance climate leadership with economic realities to avoid losing its industrial edge.
Piet Colruyt
Impact Capital
Piet Colruyt, successful Belgian entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable investing and co-founder of Impact Capital, champions innovative solutions for a greener economy. With a focus on funding and guiding socially and environmentally impactful businesses, he emphasizes the need for long-term thinking in addressing climate challenges. He believes in bridging the gap between profitability and sustainability, encouraging companies to align their growth strategies with positive societal outcomes.
Brecht Seifi
SAS
Brecht Seifi, Lead Advisor European Institutions and Sustainability Lead at SAS, advocates for competitive sustainability, emphasizing the balance between companies’ sustainability goals and profitability. He sees technology as a key accelerator, using data and AI to align short-term actions with long-term growth. For Seifi, sustainability must drive competitiveness while ensuring financial viability—because, ultimately, the numbers must add up.