The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has unveiled the 2024 edition of the Competitive Sustainability Index (CSI), a tool designed to assess the European Union’s transition toward a clean, just, and competitively sustainable economy. Supported by Breakthrough Energy and endorsed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the index builds on its 2022 debut, incorporating a broader analysis of 11 global competitors, including the US, China, and the UK, alongside the EU’s 27 Member States.
Launched against the backdrop of the Draghi and Letta reports and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s focus on competitiveness in her second-term agenda, the CSI offers an extended framework to address the EU’s evolving economic and political landscape. The report emphasises a comparative evaluation of the EU’s performance, innovation ecosystems, and policy challenges amidst global shifts.
The 2024 edition comes at a critical juncture, as the EU prepares for a decisive policymaking phase leading to 2030. It evaluates the impact of recent crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, energy market shocks from the Ukraine conflict, and competitive pressures from the US Inflation Reduction Act and China’s industrial strategies. These challenges highlight the need for urgent and innovative policy responses.
Unlike traditional sustainable competitiveness models, the CSI integrates economic, social, governance, and environmental dimensions to deliver a forward-looking perspective. The report outlines key areas for improvement and presents actionable policy recommendations aimed at bolstering the EU’s investment attractiveness and strategic direction.
As the EU develops initiatives like the Competitive Compass and Clean Industrial Deal, the 2024 CSI provides critical insights to navigate emerging challenges and seize strategic opportunities, underscoring the importance of adaptive, forward-thinking policies in a rapidly changing global environment.
