BCSDA to provide business perspective on Horizon Europe association
- bcsda0
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
Sydney, 19 September 2025 - The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) supports deepening Australia’s role in global innovation through its participation in Horizon Europe Pillar II, the world’s largest and collaborative research and innovation program. BCSDA will make a submission into the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) consultation on Australia’s proposed association with this program.
Horizon Europe’s Pillar II has a €53.5 billion budget and focuses on systemic challenges including climate, industry, health, and agri-food systems. Association would enable Australia to lead consortia, access over 80% of collaborative funds, and strengthen participation across international value chains.
For Australia, this aligns directly with national priorities - Future Made in Australia, net zero, and the National Reconstruction Fund - while addressing key collaboration and innovation challenges in R&D collaboration, circular economy, and industrial decarbonisation.
As the Australian partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), BCSDA views Horizon association as a catalyst for Australian business to shift from participants to leaders in global value chain transformation. This complements the WBCSD 2025 Action Program, which provides practical pathways for circularity, regenerative agriculture, and industrial transition.
Quantified benefits
30–50% uplift in project participation for associated countries compared with third-country status.
20–25% reduction in emissions reporting costs through uptake of WBCSD Scope 3 platforms.
15–35% efficiency gains demonstrated in EU circularity pilots.
30% yield improvement from regenerative agriculture trials, relevant to Australia’s drought-prone regions.
Sectoral opportunities
Agriculture: co-develop regenerative landscape models with WBCSD and EU counterparts.
Materials & Manufacturing: scale copper and aluminium recycling under the Circularity Protocol, reducing dependence on virgin resources.
Energy & Transport: accelerate industrial decarbonisation through carbon capture and electrification pilots.
Participation ensures Australian companies can play a leadership role in shaping the next generation of climate and industry solutions. It creates the conditions for exporters, manufacturers, and agribusiness to be at the forefront of decarbonisation and competitiveness.
BCSDA thanks its members and partners contributing insights to this process, ensuring business perspectives are represented alongside national policy objectives. The submission will be finalised before the 30 September 2025 deadline, with BCSDA continuing to convene dialogue between industry, government, and international partners to maximise the benefits of association.
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780
m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994
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