CSR_Europe_Press_Release_07042020__European_Solidarity_Action_Needed_to_Bounce_Forward

Press Release
European Solidarity & Action Needed to Bounce Forward
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are adapting their business models to do their part
in containing the spread of the virus.
However, coronavirus is posing an unprecedented cross-border challenge that requires
European solidarity at institutional level to overcome this health crisis and “Build Back Better”.
Brussels, 07 April 2020 - The coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing our world and affecting people
and their communities profoundly. The people in care and other essential sectors are giving the
best of themselves and deserve our full gratitude and support. Before COVID-19 it would have been
hard to imagine businesses retooling their production to support health systems by providing them
with sanitizing gels, protective masks, and life-support machines. Before COVID-19 it would have
been hard to believe that companies would have granted free access to their resources and knowhow
to limit the spread of a deadly virus. Now, amidst a health pandemic, businesses are adapting
their business models to do their part in containing the spread of the virus. Each effort matters and
it is making a difference. However, COVID-19 is posing an unprecedented cross-border challenge
and companies are battling to keep their people on board and to provide added value to the
communities in which they operate.
Day by day COVID-19 is teaching us that unless we cooperate, we cannot move forward again
towards a more sustainable business that is good both for the environment and climate, the
people and the economy. Businesses must take care of their employees and their families,
customers, suppliers and communities worldwide if they want to survive and thrive. Only by
working together we can create a better Europe, one which has sustainability, climate action, and
inclusiveness at its core. Underpinned by the rule of law, trust and empathy are essential to foster
the cooperation necessary to build a better future. Our member companies – mainly international
businesses – are confronting a wide variety of COVID-19-related issues and they look also towards
the European Union to boost international trust, solidarity and coordinated action in Europe.
The actions by business leaders need to be matched by European solidarity at institutional level. Only
this way it will possible to yield the multidimensional, coordinated, swift response needed to
overcome this health crisis and to “Build Back Better”. As no individual country can do this alone, the
European Union needs to step up its efforts through decisive actions and measures.
About CSR Europe:
CSR Europe is the leading European business network for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility.
With our corporate members, National Partner Organisations (NPOs), and Associated Partners, we
unite, inspire & support over 10,000 enterprises at local, European and global level. We support
businesses & industry sectors in their transformation and collaboration towards practical solutions
and sustainable growth. We are for systemic change. Following the SDGs, we want to co-build with
the European leaders and stakeholders an overarching strategy for a Sustainable Europe 2030. Our
CEOs and companies are ready to work together for a Europe that has sustainability, climate action
and inclusiveness at its core. More than 375 companies covering 24 European countries have joined
our Call to Action and support our Pact for a Sustainable Industry.