Value Through Materials, Water & Energy

Context

European industry is entering a new phase of the sustainability transition. Global competition, shifting trade dynamics, and evolving EU policy frameworks are reshaping how companies operate, invest, and innovate.

For many businesses, sustainability is no longer addressed only through reporting and compliance processes. It is increasingly tied to operational performance, resource resilience, and long-term competitiveness.

At the same time, companies are navigating a complex regulatory environment while responding to changing expectations from markets, investors, and society. The challenge now is translating sustainability ambitions into practical business strategies that strengthen value chains and industrial capacity.

The European Sustainable Industry Summit 2026 brings together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and civil society to explore how sustainability can support industrial resilience, innovation, and long-term economic performance in Europe.

The High-Level Plenary will open the Summit by setting the strategic context for the discussions ahead and highlighting how collaboration between business and policy can help accelerate the transition toward competitive and sustainable industry.

ABOUT THE PLENARY

Day 1 focuses on the industrial foundations of the sustainability transition: materials, energy, and water. These resources are central to how companies produce, operate, and build resilient value chains.

As industries adapt to new economic and environmental realities, companies are exploring how circular material flows, energy transformation, and smarter resource management can strengthen operational performance while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

The High-Level Plenary will examine how businesses and policymakers can work together to create the conditions for this transition. Discussions will focus on aligning industrial strategy, market incentives, and policy frameworks to support sustainable production systems across Europe.

Key priorities for discussion include:

• Strengthening resilience in industrial supply chains

• Scaling circular approaches to materials and production

• Advancing the energy transition across industrial sectors

• Improving water stewardship and resource management

• Building partnerships that support sustainable value chains

Through these discussions, participants will explore how companies can translate sustainability commitments into operational improvements, innovation opportunities, and stronger long-term competitiveness.

Who should attend

• CEOs and C-Suite Leaders

• EU Policymakers and Institutional Representatives

• Chief Sustainability Officers and Strategy Leaders

• Civil Society and Industry Organisations

Competitiveness has become a defining priority for Europe amid intensified global competition and geopolitical tensions. For European industry, the challenge is no longer only how to meet sustainability requirements, but how to translate sustainability into stronger industrial performance, resilient supply chains, and long-term market advantage.

Many companies have spent the past years preparing for new regulatory expectations. The next phase is about turning these efforts into tangible business value by strengthening resource systems, accelerating the energy transition, and building market demand for sustainable products.

This transition requires collaboration across industry, finance, and policy to ensure that sustainability drives innovation, investment, and competitiveness across the European economy.