Samenvatting

Dear Reader, Welcome to Sustainable EU Economy. This book is more than a textbook—it is an invitation to explore how the European Union shapes business, society, and sustainability in today’s interconnected world. My hope is that it will inspire you to think critically, engage actively, and see how Europe’s vision for a climate‑neutral and inclusive future connects directly to your own journey as a student and professional. This book was created to guide you through one of the most dynamic and influential regions in the world—the European Union. With its single market of over 450 million consumers and policies that shape global standards, the EU is not only a trading bloc but also a laboratory for resilience, sustainability, and innovation. This book will help you see the EU not just as an institution, but as a living system that directly impacts business, society, and the environment. You will explore how Europe is responding to challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and shifting geopolitics, and how these responses create opportunities for businesses and professionals like you. This textbook is not a static resource but an interactive digital reference, designed to evolve alongside the changing study of European integration and sustainability. By combining case studies, discussion prompts, and applied exercises with live seminar content and guest lectures, it adapts to new research, policy debates, and global challenges. In this way, you may explore the EU not only as a historical and political project, but also as a dynamic economic system that continually reshapes business strategy, trade, and innovation. About the Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy: Awarded by the European Commission to Dr. Beata Kviatek and hosted by Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy represents the first such Chair at a Dutch university of applied sciences. Co‑financed by the Erasmus+ Programme and Hanze University, the Chair advances knowledge of the EU’s transition toward a climate‑neutral, resource‑efficient, and socially inclusive economy. It promotes excellence in teaching and research, integrates sustainability priorities into business education, and fosters dialogue among academia, policymakers, businesses, and society. By producing impactful studies on green finance, energy transition, and corporate responsibility, and by linking local initiatives with EU goals, the Chair provides a vibrant platform for debate and engagement on Europe’s sustainable future.