EU and China together explore the benefits of green growth

EU and China together explore the benefits of green growth

Business opportunities from resource efficient production is the focus of today’s visit to China by European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, and Janez Potočnik, Commissioner for Environment.

 Green growth is now high on the political agenda for the EU and China – both are interested in achieving sustainable growth while maintaining and improving the state of their respective environments. The global market for green goods and services is currently estimated at around €1 000 billion per annum, and this is expected to double by 2020. This year the European Union and China are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and “Green Growth” has been proposed both as a key topic for the upcoming EU-Summit and for this Mission for Growth.

The Chinese government is committed to support environmental protection and sustainable growth. In this respect, the EU’s industry and its well-developed expertise on environmentally friendly products and services has a lot to offer. The participation of EU companies active in the “environmental” sectors in this 'Mission for Green Growth' proves there is considerable potential for business opportunities.

Vice-President Tajani and Commissioner Potočnik, accompanied by 59 European and national industry associations and companies, will discuss regulatory challenges in the Chinese market and articulate EU best practices in improving the business environment, in particular for SMEs.

European Commission/MEMO