By all rational standards, the news from COP 30, that we are on course to sail way past the Paris target of a 1.5 degree maximum increase in global temperature, is disastrous. It will have big economic and social consequences. But, this is not the only peril facing the nations of Europe. After a long period of productive peace, we are facing a serious military threat from Russia, and major political interference from both Russia and the United States. Looking globally, an external observer might conclude that world leaders are divided into two teams, one with the aim of starting new fires and the other with the aim of putting them out. Right now, the arsonists are winning. This makes it hard for businesses and governments to plan and use resources well, and the effect is shown in the IMF downgrade of forecast world economic growth.

The good news is that some leaders see the dangers, and are forming 'coalitions of the willing' to take robust action on issues such as the climate emergency and the collective defence of Europe. Both of these areas offer big opportunities for European industry. We assume that not all of what is happening as nations organise to work together will appear in the media. In these circumstances, the Industry Forum is planning to increase our focus on the urgent priorities of our business members and friends and, of course, the policy-makers who come to discuss what can and should be done. At the top of our agenda will be European trade, technological competitiveness, defence, industrial strategy, and the path to net zero. We also plan to cover the importance of good housing, education, skills and infrastructure to our companies, the economy and society as a whole. As usual we welcome suggestions for topics and speakers on all these big issues, or other ones.

Succeeding in interesting times