On 29 January 2026, the University of Rome Tor Vergata hosted the high-impact academic and policy conference “Industrial Competitiveness, Strategic Autonomy and Environmental Sustainability: What New Challenges for the European Union?”. The event brought together leading EU scholars, policymakers, legal experts and industry representatives to explore how the European Union can advance industrial competitiveness while strengthening strategic autonomy and delivering on its environmental sustainability goals in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The conference’s thematic programme featured institutional greetings, keynote presentations, expert panels and a strategic roundtable that addressed how European policy and law can simultaneously support economic growth and the transition to a sustainable, resilient EU. This discussion is particularly relevant to ongoing debates about the European Green Deal, EU industrial strategy, and legal frameworks that govern sustainable development.
Professor Gabriella Iermano participated as a distinguished speaker, bringing her research expertise to bear on the central themes of the conference. Her contribution enriched the discussion on how European legal frameworks and policy measures can support industrial competitiveness while safeguarding environmental sustainability, two goals that have become increasingly intertwined in EU strategy.
The conference agenda covered key policy issues, including:
- The role of EU industrial policy within the broader framework of the European Green Deal, stressing the need for transformation that fosters both economic resilience and environmental objectives;
- The concept of strategic autonomy: the capacity of the European Union to secure key supply chains, reduce dependencies and act independently in strategic sectors while remaining globally competitive;
- The legal role of EU competition law and State aid rules in promoting innovation, supporting sustainable business practices and strengthening the Single Market.
This event aligns closely with the mission of the BEYOND project — Boosting ESG Awareness in Higher Education — which is a European Union-funded Erasmus+ initiative aimed at promoting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) awareness, skills and sustainability education across universities and research institutions in Europe. By fostering interdisciplinary debate and connecting academic research with policy practice, BEYOND supports the development of future professionals equipped to address complex challenges at the intersection of economic competitiveness and sustainability.
Professor Iermano’s involvement underscored the central role of academic expertise in shaping EU policy discussions, reinforcing the importance of legal scholarship and sustainability education in responding to Europe’s evolving industrial and environmental priorities.