The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia and the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce organized the conference Climate Talks: Green transformation and decarbonization of industry, dedicated to encouraging dialogue on green transition and decarbonization as the key to a sustainable future of industry. The central message of the event was the common goal – to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent.
The conference was opened by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia, Anke Konrad, and the President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Milan Grujić, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between Serbia and Germany on the way to climate neutrality, as well as that the green transition and decarbonization of industry are not only global challenges. but also the chances for innovation, sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness.
Ambassador Konrad pointed out that the Mechanism for Cross-Border Coordination of Carbon Dioxide Emissions (CBAM) is a key tool of the European Union in ensuring the competitiveness of climate-friendly products:
We will achieve climate neutrality only if climate-friendly products are competitive. CBAM ensures a level playing field for producers inside and outside the EU, providing incentives for decarbonisation. Germany will continue to support Serbia on this path through projects such as GIZ’s Green Economy and the activities of the development bank KfW. said the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic of Germany, Anke Konrad.
The President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Milan Grujić, pointed out the importance of education and concrete tools to support the economy, as well as that green transformation and decarbonization are inextricably linked to the strategic directions of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
Sustainability is the basis of future competitiveness. The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to empowering Serbian companies to lead the green transition through initiatives such as AHK Green Academy Serbia, Young Energy Europe and EUREM. By turning the challenges of decarbonization into opportunities, we aim to position Serbia as a regional leader in sustainable business, emphasized the president of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Milan Grujić.
Advisor to the president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Radman Šelmić, presented the key aspects of CBAM and indicated the steps that the Serbian economy must take in order to successfully adapt to the new regulations.
The carbon tax (CBAM) introduced by the EU in 2023 and which will begin to be paid in 2026 represents a fundamental challenge for the Serbian economy in terms of maintaining its competitiveness on the EU market. Namely, the so-called embedded emissions in the products will be monetized, and it seems to us that the awareness of all the consequences of this radical change is not yet sufficiently developed, just as the strategic response to the challenge of CBAM through the decarbonization of the Serbian economy, which is complex and requires knowledge transfer, adaptation or change of business processes, improvement of energy and resource efficiency, significant forms of green investments and a coordinated effort to maintain the competitiveness of the economy on our most important export market, explained the adviser to the president of the PKS for green and circular economy and digital transformation.
During the panel discussion CBAM and taxonomy: How EU regulation drives transformation, experts from Serbia and the EU looked at the current challenges and potentials and emphasized that adapting to CBAM is key to preserving the competitiveness of Serbian products on the demanding EU market.
Ivan Smiljković, a member of the Executive Board of ProCredit Bank and the Board of Directors of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, said that the acceleration of the green transition and industrial decarbonization is crucial for a sustainable future, while the head of the sector for European integration and economic affairs in the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Andrea Hochhuber said that CBAM is one of the key tools of the European Green Agenda.
It is essential that all actors, including governments and industry, are informed about their obligations and the impact of CBAM, in order to adapt and ensure a sustainable future, Hohhuber concluded.
Mirjana Jovanović, program manager at the Belgrade Open School, pointed out that climate policies have long dictated the development of the European Union market, as well as that indecision and delay in solving climate issues is already costing Serbia a lot.
In order to remain competitive on the EU market in the future, it is necessary to put climate change at the center of development strategies and planned public investments. Jovanović concluded.
Strahinja Lazarevic, manager of strategic planning at Elixir Group, announced that Elixir Group is proactively implementing a comprehensive strategy of decarbonization of production processes, which, he said, will enable a gradual reduction of the carbon footprint and the achievement of carbon neutrality, in accordance with the dynamics of the gradual abolition of permitted emissions, which is determined by the European Commission.
In addition to the discussions, a special emphasis was placed on raising awareness of the individual contribution to climate change. During the conference, the carbon footprint was measured, indicating the importance of daily activities in reducing emissions.
The Climate Talks conference represents the beginning of a continuous dialogue between actors from Germany and Serbia, with the common goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent.
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Source: www.itnetwork.rs
