RICS Joins the Antwerp Declaration on Industrial Policy

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is proud to announce its endorsement of the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal. This momentous decision underscores RICS's commitment to advancing sustainable industrial policies and fostering economic growth within Europe. As a globally recognized professional body, RICS's participation in the Antwerp Declaration aligns with its mission to influence positive change and deliver enduring benefits to society through standards and professionalism in the built environment.

The Antwerp Declaration, initiated on 20th February 2024, represents a collaborative effort among European industrial leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to bolster the continent’s industrial sector. This Declaration aims to complement the European Green Deal by focusing on the revitalization of Europe’s industrial base, ensuring it remains competitive, innovative, and sustainable.

Key Pillars of the Antwerp Declaration

1. Competitiveness and Regulatory Coherence: The Declaration calls for a comprehensive action plan to enhance European competitiveness. It emphasizes the need to streamline regulations, eliminate unnecessary complexities, and ensure a coherent legislative framework that supports industrial growth.
2. Public Funding and Clean Technology: A significant component of the Declaration is the establishment of a Clean Tech Deployment Fund. This fund aims to de-risk private investments in clean technologies through public funding, fostering innovation and sustainability in energy-intensive industries.
3. Energy Competitiveness: The Declaration advocates for making Europe a globally competitive provider of energy by prioritizing low-carbon, renewable, and nuclear energy projects. This includes developing a robust EU Energy Strategy to lower energy costs and promote cross-border energy cooperation.
4. Infrastructure Development: Targeting the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Declaration emphasizes the need for world-class digital, CCUS, and recycling infrastructures. It calls for the removal of permitting obstacles and the development of trans-European networks to support industrial transformation.
5. Raw Materials Security: Ensuring the security of raw materials through scaling up domestic mining, sustainable processing, and recycling is critical. The Declaration promotes global partnerships and innovative approaches to secure a steady supply of essential materials.
6. Demand for Net-Zero Products: The Declaration seeks to boost demand for net-zero, low-carbon, and circular products. It encourages transparent product footprints and supports public procurement initiatives that prioritize sustainable products.
7. Single Market Enhancement: Strengthening the Single Market for integrated value chains, waste, and recycled materials is vital. The Declaration calls for improved enforcement of measures and the creation of a true European energy market.
8. Innovation Framework: Fostering a smarter innovation framework is essential for technological advancement. The Declaration promotes digitalization, protects intellectual property, and supports the transfer of demonstration to commercial technologies.
9. Effective Legislation: The Declaration advocates for a new spirit of law-making that encourages entrepreneurship and investment in clean technologies. It emphasizes coherence, industrial reality, and robust data for effective policymaking.
10. Results-Oriented Structure: To achieve these ambitious goals, the Declaration proposes the installation of a First Vice-President responsible for delivering the European Industrial Deal, ensuring legislative integration and alignment.

As a leader in setting standards for the built environment, RICS's endorsement of the Antwerp Declaration is a testament to its dedication to sustainable development and economic resilience. By joining this initiative, RICS aims to leverage its expertise in land, property, construction, and infrastructure to support the Declaration's goals.

RICS’s endorsement of the Antwerp Declaration marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable industrial growth in Europe. By aligning with the Declaration’s principles, RICS reaffirms its commitment to promoting standards, professionalism, and sustainability in the built environment. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, RICS aims to support the revitalization of Europe’s industrial base, ensuring it remains a global leader in innovation and sustainability.

As Europe navigates the complexities of the 21st century, the Antwerp Declaration provides a comprehensive roadmap for industrial resilience and growth. RICS’s participation in this initiative reflects its dedication to influencing positive change and delivering enduring benefits to society. Together, with its partners and stakeholders, RICS is poised to contribute to a prosperous, sustainable future for European industry.

For more information contact Senior EU Public Affairs Manager, Fausta Todhe at ftodhe@rics.org.