RECOMMENDATIONS | EU ENERGY & CLIMATE POLICY | 2024 – 2029
Maintaining Europe’s Industrial Competitiveness on its Way to Net-Zero Ten Key Challenges in EU Energy and Climate Policy for 2024 – 2029
June 2024
The European Green Deal, presented by the European Commission in late 2019, represents the most ambitious sustainability package the world has seen so far. It sets the ambitious goal of achieving EUwide climate neutrality by 2050, a commitment that German industry not only upholds but is keen to play a leading role in achieving. However, over the past five years, the EU has adopted numerous energy and climate-related rules and regulations for industry to transition, without providing clear pathways for maintaining competitive production in Europe. Consequently, the EU faces the risk of not achieving its climate targets through successful decarbonization of its industrial sector, but rather by witnessing the relocation of key industries to third countries. This carbon and investment leakage will adversely affect European economies and undermine the overarching aim of global decarbonization. The next five years will be decisive in preventing such a scenario. Hence, EU lawmakers will have to work together to create a compelling business case for sustainable production in Europe and thereby maintain industrial competitiveness on the path to net-zero. To achieve this, ten key challenges must be addressed.
Jonas Wilden | Energy and Climate Policy | T: +32 27921004 | j.wilden@bdi.eu | www.bdi.eu