Innovation and sustainability have long been viewed as opposing concepts, but new insights suggest they must be tackled together to secure the future of Europe
At the recent event “Back to Growth: Innovative Life Sciences for a Competitive Europe”, organised by Bayer at the Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, industry leaders and experts explored how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, combined with advances in life sciences, offer Europe a unique chance to strengthen its industrial base and lead the transition to a sustainable economy.
The event brought together key voices including Erika Staël von Holstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Re-imagine Europa (RIE), and Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer , who engaged in a fireside chat about how new narratives and leadership can help Europe move forward together. Their discussions emphasised the power of narratives not just as communication tools but as frameworks for listening, understanding, and bridging divides across Europe’s complex policy and societal landscape.
Staël von Holstein started by challenging a common misconception: that innovation and sustainability cannot exist together. The idea that innovation cancels out sustainability (and vice versa), is, according to the CEO of RIE, one of the most common narrative traps we face in society today, and a barrier for progress. “It is time to build a narrative that brings together innovation and sustainability, creating a shared vision where they advance hand in hand into the future”, she stated.
The conversation with Anderson reinforced this point, focusing on how Europe’s future competitiveness depends on fresh thinking and collaborative leadership. Anderson described a Europe caught between entrenched extremes, with the political centre struggling to move beyond defending a “broken status quo”: “The alternative to this war of extremes is a powerful centre. But often the centre is so busy defending the status quo that it cannot move beyond realising that big changes are needed,” he said.
Both speakers agreed that the path forward requires more than new policies, it demands a shift in mindset and the creation of shared narratives that can unify diverse stakeholders. Staël von Holstein emphasised that narratives are not merely tools of persuasion but “instruments for listening and understanding different perspectives”. By focusing on shared priorities, Europe can overcome polarisation and build cooperative solutions. As an example, the CEO of Re-Imagine Europa pointed out the fact that climate policies are too often viewed as sacrifices rather than opportunities for growth and innovation. She invited the audience to imagine a more hopeful narrative, one that, in her view, can inspire broader engagement and stronger support: “Imagine what could be achieved if climate policies were seen as opportunities, where we build new things and generate positive energy”.
In the end, the discussion made it clear that Europe needs to simplify and better coordinate its policies, build trust through honest conversations, and lead with energy to face today’s big challenges. It called for leaders who are not afraid to embrace changes and create an environment where innovation can help Europe become more sustainable and competitive.
