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When it comes to a better future, Sebastian Kurz is currently only thinking of one thing: the end of the corona pandemic.
The most important thing at the moment is to get out of this dramatic situation.
This is what the Austrian Chancellor said on the occasion of the second edition of the “Better Future” conference series by WELT AM SONNTAG, at which this year the topic of sustainability was the focus of numerous interviews and panel discussions.
Kurz was optimistic that further opening steps in the neighboring country could be made possible as early as May.
"The good news is: We are on the last few meters," said Kurz.
The decisive factor is not only that we get out of the pandemic, but also how we succeed.
“We have to do a lot better than before,” said Kurz, who was connected virtually.
"The pandemic showed us that in many areas." Corona has uncovered severe deficits, above all in digitization in companies and schools.
In addition, the crisis brought greater health awareness among people and the desire for more mindfulness.
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Kurz therefore called for the pandemic to be used for a digital and ecological transformation in Europe.
Massive investments are necessary for this.
This is crucial to maintain competitiveness in Europe.
The Austrian Chancellor sees his country on the right track.
The Alpine republic already produces around 70 percent of its energy with the help of renewable technologies, above all with hydropower.
By 2030, the proportion is expected to increase to 100 percent.
At the same time, Kurz admitted that certain industries with rising energy costs will have a hard time, such as the European steel industry.
“That's how honest we have to be,” said Kurz.
The EU must therefore find a way to demand European standards from international trading partners.
"Anything else leads to a massive distortion of competition," said Kurz.
The Austrian Chancellor missed the view of non-European competition in the debate.
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95 percent of the time it is discussed which standards the EU wants to create.
But only five percent of the talks are about how to deal with the rest of the world.
"This is an imbalance that we have to change," demanded Kurz: "As long as we have not found a solution on how to deal with other countries, ecological and climate-friendly action will always be in conflict with the economy."
Investor Frank Thelen was one of the prominent guests at the event
Source: Philip Nuernberger
In addition to the lessons learned from the corona pandemic, the focus was on the question of how to strike a balance between economic efficiency and responsibility for the environment.
The unanimous opinion of the more than 30 prominent participants in the Better Future Conference: Politicians, companies and consumers can only succeed together.
"Industry brought us prosperity, but we weren't careful enough with nature," said founder and investor Frank Thelen in his lecture.
“No more footprints should be left behind, neither by people nor by companies.” That must be the new international standard.
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Opinions seem to differ as to which is the right way to get there.
Thelen urged not to rely on bans, but on green technologies.
"Many bans are one model," said Thelen, "no meat, no long-distance travel, no more detached houses." With the help of green technologies, previous living standards have long been brought into harmony with the environment, said the investor.
"The technology is there."
In order for this to succeed, Europe must invest massively.
The tech visionary cited the high-speed traffic in the so-called “hyperloop”, in which capsules move in a tube on air cushions, as examples.
Thelen also included aircraft with electric propulsion or 3D printing technology in house construction.
"I currently see us as Europe at the back," says Thelen.
The primary goal, however, must be to be able to discuss future issues on an equal footing with China and the USA.
This is already necessary for urgent regulatory issues that have to be determined internationally - for example on the future handling of artificial intelligence.
"AI will become so strong that it is also a danger," predicted Thelen.
In Elon Musk, the boss of the electric car manufacturer Tesla, Thelen sees “100 percent” an environmentalist and praised his innovative strength.
Albrecht Reimold, product manager of the German sports car manufacturer Porsche, also paid his US competitor respect.
However, Reimold did not believe that the internal combustion engine would end anytime soon.
"There are regions in Europe where the necessary infrastructure will not be available," said the Porsche board member.
The Volkswagen subsidiary has therefore invested a lot in the development of e-fuels, i.e. synthetic fuels.
Reimold cited one of the most difficult challenges for the automotive industry to be ensuring sustainability along the entire supply chain.
The Volkswagen Group introduced a new sustainability ranking, the so-called S-Rating, back in 2019.
This is to ensure that orders only go to responsible suppliers.
In addition, almost all companies are faced with the same challenge: They have to hope for consumer acceptance when making decisions.
Felix Ahlers felt how difficult that can be almost 20 years ago.
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The CEO of Frosta almost slipped into bankruptcy with his company when he decided in 2003 to forego flavoring and color additives in his frozen food.
"It took a lot longer to inform customers that we are doing something different now," said Ahlers.
And of course the products have also become more expensive.
Most consumers are now willing to pay more for sustainable products.
Nevertheless, the economy is still faced with some contradictions in purchasing behavior.
"Animal welfare is becoming more and more important to people," said Ahlers.
In an advertising test, however, Frosta found that their own health was even more important to them in the end.
A campaign focusing on the healthy fatty acids in fish worked better than advertising on animal welfare.
The “Better Future” conference on Tuesday on the topic of sustainability was the second edition of the new conference series by WELT AM SONNTAG.
Last November, dozens of guests discussed the topic of "Female Leadership" and the need for more women in boardrooms, mostly digitally.