Sustainability and competitiveness in the face of geopolitical disruption
We asked Jordi Torrent, Head of Strategy at the Port of Barcelona, and Jacint Soler, Director of International Relations and European Affairs at Pimec, about the new environment for sustainability challenges.
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Sustainability cannot be considered in isolation. The geopolitical context, industrial transformations, and the European regulatory framework are shaping an environment in which companies must rethink their role. On the occasion of the presentation of the eighth report of the SDG Observatory, Sustainability, competitiveness and geopolitical disruption, we brought together Jordi Torrent, Head of Strategy at the Port of Barcelona, and Jacint Soler, Director of International Relations and European Affairs at Pimec. They offered an expert perspective on the intersection between sustainability, regulation, and business interests.
Presented by Àngel Castiñeira, Director of the Center for LeadershipS and Sustainability.
Globalization adrift: new economic balances
According to Torrent, the international model that emerged from the Bretton Woods agreements is faltering. Geopolitical tensions, fragmented supply chains, and the decline of international economic law are symptoms of a deeper transformation. The West has become aware of its vulnerability after the 2008 crisis and the pandemic, and it has responded with protectionism and attempts to recover industrial sovereignty.
This shift is also evident in Europe, where the European Commission has moved from prioritizing environmental sustainability to focusing on strategic autonomy, economic security, and competitiveness. This does not imply abandoning climate commitments, but rather a rebalancing of priorities.
A new regulatory mindset in Brussels
Soler highlights the shift in tone among European institutions. “We are coming out of a legislative term marked by a regulatory tsunami. Now we are entering a period that is more favorable to competitiveness and incentives,” he explains. In his view, the emphasis on bans and obligations has placed a heavy burden on many SMEs, which now need fiscal and financial incentives to continue investing in sustainability. “We need more carrots and fewer sticks,” he sums up.