Arvea Marieni is a seasoned manager, entrepreneur, and European Commission expert specialising in innovation and climate policy. She serves as Director at BEAM CUBE, a French engineering firm where she co-leads the development of ecological transition solutions. She also serves as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador in Italy and Belgium, and is a dynamic advocate for sustainable development and green innovation on the global stage. Arvea has been recognised with the prestigious 2023 EU Innovation Procurement Award (EUIPA) for her role in advancing innovation procurement to tackle climate challenges.

She is a Jury Member for the European Innovation Council Accelerator Programme (EICA) and actively contributes to several European Commission initiatives, including the DG REGIO S3 CoP Working Group on Industrial Transition, the DG RTD Community of Practice on Industry 5.0, and the DG GROW High-Level Construction Forum. Arvea is also a strategic advisor on EU-China-US environmental cooperation and a senior consultant to the World Green Development Organisation.

In a recent insightful interview, she shares her perspectives on identifying transformative climate innovations. She emphasised that the EIC prioritises solutions with real-world impact, looking for scalable, high-risk, high-impact technologies driven by clear market demand and capable of advancing Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Arvea also highlighted the critical role of diplomacy in scaling green solutions, noting that international cooperation creates frameworks for sustainable technology transfer and finance. Reflecting on her expertise in EU-China environmental cooperation, Arvea shared a cautionary tale about the strategic consequences of refusing collaboration, illustrating how China’s decisive push for electric mobility propelled it to global leadership.

Finally, she discussed the importance of global platforms like the Climate Technology Show (CTS25) in fostering dialogue and collaboration among innovators, investors, and policymakers. She emphasised that Climate Technology Show could play a pivotal role in exploring valid metrics for ecosystem services and promoting adaptation investments.

#Shaheen: As an Expert and Evaluator for the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), what do you look for when identifying climate innovations that have the potential to create real-world impact?

#Arvea: The first thing I’d like to say is that I was honoured to be selected for the EIC Accelerator Jury. It’s a meaningful challenge that builds on several years of experience evaluating a wide range of Horizon Europe programmes and calls. My background spans innovation policy design and place-based entrepreneurship, and I’ve always approached innovation from a systemic perspective—even when I decided to invest in a technology company, where I now serve as a director. I firmly believe that ecosystems, alongside individuals, create the right conditions for innovation to emerge, scale, and diffuse effectively.

Personally, I became an investor because I realised that to drive real change, you need actionable solutions—not just advise others on what to do. And I believe that’s exactly what the EIC strives to achieve. The EIC is looking for clear, well-defined product ideas that have specific applications in real, addressable markets.

That’s why, for me—and for the Commission more broadly—impact is the unifying thread. Whether you're working on advanced materials, low-emission food systems, in-space servicing, or GenAI, the key question is always: Will this innovation make a real difference? Will it open new markets, solve pressing problems, or catalyse system-wide change?

One of the great strengths of the EIC is that it brings together people from different ‘tribes’ and areas of expertise—including, crucially, professional investors, who bring their own logic, firepower, and ability to shape markets. For each of these actors, impact may mean something slightly different and is measured through different KPIs. However, the core metrics are clearly defined and consistently explained by the European Commission in its official documents—which I strongly recommend reviewing.

These evaluations are not about ticking boxes—they’re about identifying the next European champions. And that takes strategic thinking, entrepreneurial insight, and a clear eye for transformative potential. It’s a responsibility I take seriously. In my case, I’m quite mission-driven—and I believe many of the evaluators are. Certainly, the EIC people I meet are all passionate about the purpose behind the programme.

The EIC is truly looking for pioneers—companies working on high-risk, high-impact innovations that can redefine or even create entire markets. And they must be scalable. We're especially focused on initiatives built on radical thinking, breakthrough technologies, and deep scientific discovery—what we call deep tech.

To be eligible, your innovation should be at Technology Readiness Level 6 or above—meaning you’ve demonstrated a working prototype in a relevant environment. But even at that stage, these innovations often need years of development and significant funding before reaching the market.

That’s why the EIC offers what we call patient capital—long-term support through a mix of grants and equity, designed to bridge that critical gap between proof of concept and full market adoption.

So, if you're developing something truly disruptive with strong societal or environmental impact—especially in areas like climate, health, or digital transformation—and you’re facing technical, financial, or market barriers that deter private investors, the EIC Accelerator may be exactly the kind of support you need.

Finally, EU competitiveness and alignment with EU policy objectives are essential. The EIC isn’t just about exciting technologies—it’s about advancing innovations that strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, sustainability, and resilience. Whether through the green and digital transitions, industrial leadership, or addressing key societal challenges, proposals must clearly show how they contribute to Europe’s broader goals.

The bar is high because the stakes are high. We're looking for technologies and teams that can scale, transform markets, and help secure Europe’s innovation leadership for the future. I focus on credible, real-world impact—and that kind of change takes time, vision, and patient capital, not short-term profit and fixes.

#Shaheen: Having worked closely with experienced climate negotiators and policymakers, what role do you believe diplomacy plays in scaling green solutions and technologies globally?

#Arvea: Diplomacy creates the conditions, the systems of rules, the investment frameworks, and the level playing field for mutually beneficial technology development and diffusion. Without political decisions and consistent implementation, there is no change.

Diplomatic engagement is also vital in mobilising climate finance. In addition, diplomacy helps open up trade and market access for green products. By reducing tariffs and trade barriers on items such as solar panels and electric vehicle components, diplomatic efforts facilitate wider distribution and lower costs, making green technologies more accessible to a broader range of countries and consumers. I believe that legislation, rules and technical standards drive green innovation. This is also visible in the so-called “Brussels Effect”. Our rules set the bar high and protect our industries from carbon leakage and environmental dumping. 

The technology framework under the Paris Agreement guides the work of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and acknowledges a pressing need: to accelerate and strengthen technological innovation so that environmentally and socially sound, cost-effective, and better-performing climate technologies can be transferred and deployed at scale—lowering the cost of the transition for everyone. It also recognises that fostering innovation requires new and collaborative approaches to climate technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D).

The goal is clear—to identify good practices and lessons learned, and to promote their uptake by sharing information on international RD&D partnerships and initiatives. Technology transfer and knowledge exchange are essential to ensuring the effective participation of developing countries in these collaborative efforts on climate technologies.

Today, China is leading in a number of technology sectors that are vital for the new green economy. By cooperating, and bringing Chinese companies to produce in the EU, our industries can benefit from the experience of Chinese manufacturers, remain at the forefront of innovation, and exploit one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time—with a significant competitive and technological advantage.

China is now one of the leading drivers of global climate action. President Xi Jinping recently confirmed that China is committed to delivering a comprehensive emissions reduction plan that will cover all economic sectors and greenhouse gases by the next COP. Regardless of the international situation, China will not slow down its efforts to combat climate change. This marks a pivotal moment. The new targets for 2035 aim to reduce emissions across the entire economy—from energy to agriculture and beyond. Addressing all greenhouse gases, especially methane, is essential to achieving the Paris Agreement’s objectives and limiting global warming.

A key area of untapped potential lies in public procurement. Reforming procurement procedures is essential for advancing both the green and digital transitions. In the EU, public procurement represents a significant percentage of total GDP. Nearly half of Cohesion Policy funding is already channelled through these mechanisms.

Streamlining these systems and embedding sustainability and innovation at their core can unlock transformative change—not only for climate technologies, but also for inclusive economic development.

I also want to highlight a case of success—an excellent example of international cooperation driving green tech innovation: the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016. The amendment seeks to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems. Nearly 150 countries committed to cutting HFCs by over 80 percent by 2047. This agreement has sparked significant investment and innovation in green cooling technologies, including natural refrigerants and energy-efficient air conditioning systems. It also created opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog to sustainable cooling solutions, supported by international funding and private-sector involvement.

#Shaheen: With your expertise in EU-China environmental cooperation, could you share a key insight or successful project that highlights the importance of international collaboration for green technology?

#Arvea: Coming back to what I was saying earlier on technology cooperation, I would say that there are too many examples to answer. From an industry perspective, let me share an example of what can happen when we choose not to cooperate—and what that means for the competitiveness of an entire industry.

Back in 2010, during an official visit to Italy, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed a bilateral agreement with Italy to promote electric mobility. At the time, pollution in China had reached critical levels, threatening not just the environment, but also economic growth and social stability. So their strong push for electric vehicles made perfect sense.

Fast forward to 2012: Italy was in a strong position to benefit. When then Environment Minister Corrado Clini visited Shanghai, Fiat was invited to set up an electric vehicle production line at its plant in Changsha. The plant was already capable of producing 140,000 cars per year. It was a golden opportunity.

But none of those cars were electric.

Why? Because Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne didn’t believe in EVs. He even said, “Please don’t buy our electric cars, because every time I sell one, it costs me $14,000.” That may have made financial sense in the short term. But looking back, it was a major strategic miss.

China, meanwhile, kept moving. By 2015, it had set a goal of putting 300,000 new energy vehicles on the road—buses, taxis, delivery vans—driving innovation, investment, and a new market. Fiat—and Italy—missed the boat.

Today, the green transition is central to economic competitiveness. And it’s clear that we need technological cooperation to accelerate this transition. Just look at the price of renewables—driven down dramatically thanks to China’s manufacturing scale.

This story shows what happens when we choose to protect the status quo instead of adapting. Refusing cooperation can cost us—not just in technology or innovation, but in jobs, influence, and long-term economic resilience.

Green technology has never been  just about the environment. It’s about shaping the future of global competitiveness.

#Shaheen: As a passionate communicator and global speaker, how do you think narrative framing and media engagement can influence real progress toward climate goals?

#Arvea: We are in the midst of a new Industrial Revolution—a systemic shift in the way we live. This transformation is happening regardless of our actions, driven by evolving technologies, changing ecosystems, the impact of human activity on the planet, the depletion of natural services, and limited resources. People are afraid to lose agency. The actions we are taking—though admittedly too slow—are critical for ensuring a livable environment for ourselves and future generations. One of the key areas the EIC is focusing on is new molecules and food production systems, which represent a potential revolution in creating sustainable, resilient food systems. How do we make people feel they will benefit from all these changes?

Right now, many people feel that implementing these carries significant economic risks. If not managed effectively, this phenomenon could undermine social stability and public trust. Achieving the EU’s climate objectives requires not only technological innovation but also widespread behavioral change—shifts that will influence how we produce, consume, and interact with resources as citizens. Enhanced governance, social stability, and improved planning are all essential for success, with cities playing a central role in this transformation. That’s why communication – which also means engaging people everyday - is absolutely key. This is also why I decided to join the European Climate Pact, an initiative of DG CLIMA, to contribute actively to making people understand.

As I mentioned in this video, produced in Dubai for COP28 under a UNFCCC initiative, the current narratives often focus on what we are losing, “we always talk about the problems”, I say there, rather than highlighting the immense benefits we stand to gain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaYyub-UjR8 

Systems engineering and the emerging field of transition engineering offer vital methods for communities and organisations to explore transformative shifts away from unsustainable practices. These fields provide holistic, integrated solutions to address the challenges we face. Yet, the immense advantages of this transformation are not always communicated effectively—if they are communicated at all. Existing structures often focus on what will be lost, rather than showing how we can thrive in a world where renewable energy could potentially be free. The cost of renewables continues to drop, even becoming negative in some cases, yet these benefits are not translating into direct advantages for citizens due to outdated regulatory systems and market designs. The current structures are tailored to fossil systems. We need new rules for the new ecological economy.

The falling cost of renewables, along with the extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to buildings, strengthens the case for renovations and energy efficiency. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies, inadequate regulation, and poor service delivery undermine public support for these initiatives. Furthermore, climate communication remains fragmented and unclear, leaving people feeling disconnected from how climate change impacts their everyday lives.

The decline in scientific and technical skills, as highlighted by PISA studies, further complicates effective communication on complex issues like climate change. This fosters misconceptions and resistance to evidence-based policies. The failure to explain the why, how, and where of the energy transition generates confusion, which, when coupled with disinformation, leads to opposition. People want to know: What is the vision for our future? How will we live together in 2050?

I believe there is a huge opportunity for bold political leadership—leaders who will have the courage and the conviction to tell the truth and stand by it. We need to support these leaders, providing them with a clear vision and ensuring coherent action (for example, by phasing out harmful subsidies to support cleaner technologies and products).

According to polls, nearly 90% of people in the world are aware of the need for climate action and want more to be done. However, politicians are often ignoring this call. It’s a missed opportunity; they could capitalize on this demand by proposing a real, new model—one that is possible, sustainable, and could work for all.

#Shaheen: How important are global platforms like the Climate Technology Show in accelerating collaboration between innovators, investors, and policymakers, and what are you most looking forward to at CTS25?

#Arvea: Global platforms like the Climate Technology Show (CTS) can be very valuable in that they can bring people together and accelerate collaboration between innovators, investors, and policymakers, and help change the narrative around market models. They offer a space where key players can come together to share insights, spark partnerships, and shape the future of climate solutions at scale.

As always, impact is in the diversity of voices they bring together. Many climate solutions—such as metrics or nature-based services—don’t naturally fit into conventional business models. I would be happy if CTS this year were to include a session on valid approaches for measuring ecosystem services, and to explore impact and adaptation investment, as well as non-monetary metrics for nature-or social based value.

One powerful way to deepen the impact of these platforms is to design dialogues that mirror the real policy conversations taking place between global blocs. For example, this year I’d expect growing attention on how to mainstream climate and environmental KPIs in trade agreements, which is emerging as a crucial area of innovation and standard-setting.

At CTS25, I’m particularly looking forward to engaging in exchanges that bring together the EU, UK, US, and global regions—especially China and India, that are  both major drivers in climate tech.