PwC has a locally-owned firm in each of the 27 member states of the European Union, operating from over 200 locations across the EU, in capital cities, regional centres, and smaller towns. We support 34,000 organisations, including SMEs, NGOs and governments, as well as 93% of the Europe S&P 350.
The work our people in the EU undertake is varied and far-reaching. From helping to drive the green transition, to upskilling European youth, to supporting economic development, we are contributing towards a stronger, more successful Europe.
Each PwC firm is owned and run by partners in the region so decisions are made locally, rather than by a head office who may be removed from the regional opportunities and challenges. This enables local client needs to be met and communities to prosper, all while the firms adhere to common standards of quality and behaviour.
Supporting the green transition
We are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030 and to supporting our stakeholders as they seek to decarbonise organisations and economies.
Supporting change across the EU
PwC supports the implementation of EU environmental regulation, including the Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, both inside the EU and - through our global network - among international companies with European operations. We help clients understand reporting requirements and provide the robust transparency the EU expects.
Our PwC firms in the EU are strongly placed to help the EU strengthen its leading role in the Net Zero transition. For example:
We help businesses measure their carbon footprint using technology developed in Europe. PwC France’s Carbon Cockpit app calculates an organisation’s digital carbon footprint, while PwC Netherlands' Environmental Footprint Insights app provides a CO2 dashboard to encourage sustainable business travel behaviour.
PwC Germany has a specialist group for Green Hydrogen who work with several of the EU’s most important users and producers of energy to support the roll-out of hydrogen tech to help deliver the transition.
Our other important initiatives support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels, build the case for carbon pricing and emissions trading, and help financial audits properly reflect climate risk.
Upskilling
PwC is a training focused organisation. We are committed to upskilling people throughout their careers at PwC. We are also proud that many people begin their careers with us, acquiring qualifications in accounting and financial management, which they then take into their professional lives in the public, private and tertiary sectors.
Across the EU, in 2020-21, we:
Coached 19,593 people in data and analytics
Provided specialist environmental, social, and governance (ESG) training to 25,469 people
We are a major recruiter, hiring over 13,000 graduates across the EU in 2020-21. We provide people with the opportunity to travel across the EU for work and our 218 EU locations also mean people have the option of a career close to home if they so choose.
Helping communities upskill
Our New World. New Skills programme, which we deliver in partnership with UNICEF and Generation Unlimited, provides upskilling to underserved communities - including in the EU. For example, PwC Cyprus works with the Youth Board of Cyprus to provide digital education, while PwC Hungary and PwC Romania’s staff teach school children about cybersecurity.
Helping the EU compete in the digital future
A fair digital transformation has the potential to boost innovation and productivity in the EU and build a more resilient economy. We support clients and governments to achieve these objectives, building innovation hubs - and not just in capital cities.
Solving the big challenges, digitally
PwC firms across the EU help clients develop their digital capabilities. For example:
Cybersecurity. Our Frankfurt-based Cybersecurity Experience Centre allows visitors to learn about the risks for industrial IT and OT networks and experience the impacts of cyber attacks, in real time. We helped the Irish health system understand and respond to a major cyber attack and build resilience for the future.
Fraud prevention. PwC Poland’s Tax Fraud Prevention Platform helps EU clients combat VAT fraud.
Sustainable innovation. PwC Germany’s Sustainable Innovation team helps clients create digital strategies that align to sustainability goals.
Fostering local innovation ecosystems
Beyond our client work, we also support the EU SME Strategy and European Skills Agendas by working on a number of projects which boost competitiveness through innovation and collaboration with academia. PwC Greece contributes to the Elevate Greece programme, which aims to help develop the Greek innovation ecosystem with mentoring and upskilling in start-ups, while PwC Cyprus is collaborating with the Research centre on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging Technologies (RISE) - the island’s biggest applied research and innovation project.
Contributing to the policy process
We use our expertise and experience to help inform the policy process, including by engaging in public consultations organised by the European Commission.
Contact us
Global Leader, Public Policy & Regulation, PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7804 8123
Global International Development Leader, Partner, PwC Luxembourg
Tel: +352 49 48 48 4313
Jacomien van den Hurk
Director - EU Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, PwC Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 5880492