Clean Industrial Deal first step into a joint industrial future for Europe

Today, the European Commission presented its Clean Industrial Deal and an Action Plan for Affordable Energy. The Clean Industrial Deal is the European Commission's strategy to make European industries climate-neutral and competitive. The action plan aims to reduce electricity and energy prices for industry and consumers. We must ensure that the Green Deal is the driver of European competitiveness. The Greens/EFA Group has presented its own plan to create jobs, reduce energy costs and promote investment. 

Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

"The Green Deal is the key to European competitiveness, more jobs and lower energy prices. Made in Europe must become the hallmark of the EU as a market leader in green steel and cement, wind turbines, heat pumps, batteries and energy efficiency technologies. No EU country can stand alone against the economic power of the USA and China; strong, common European action is the only credible way forward. The Clean Industrial Deal is a first step into a joint industrial future, setting the right course on more investments, stronger EU demand and a circular economy. We will work hard to deliver, not only for climate and industry, but certainly also for people. Our agenda has to provide a certain future for the millions of workers in European industry. 

“But we need to watch out at the same time for those who want to scrap the Green Deal with a deregulation agenda. They are jeopardising the planning security of companies and shaking confidence in the EU as a business centre. Slowing down our energy transition will only prolong our fossil dependencies and play into the hands of despots such as Vladimir Putin. The EU needs to deliver on a plan for progress and resist a conservative agenda to just protect the status quo.” 

Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

" European resilience depends on its capacity to make industry fit for the future. More renewable energy means lower costs for energy-intensive industries such as steel and cement as well as better prices for consumers. We need massive investment in wind, water, solar and geothermal energy in the EU, without wasting time in technologies that would only delay the energy transition or make it much more costly, like nuclear. While we welcome  the setting up of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, we regret the lack of prioritisation of direct electrification from renewables. 

"We must build a domestic manufacturing base for EU green industries and promote them with new European State Aid Rules. Greening of corporate fleets is an important step towards the ecological transition of the transport sector.  Subsidies for coal, oil and fossil gas are yesterday's concept and should be abolished.

"We call on the European Commission to propose a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels and harmful subsidies. The end of dependence on fossil fuels is the end of European dependence on dictators like Putin. Billions currently spent on expensive fossil gas imports must be channelled into investment in renewables, energy efficiency and electrification.”

More: Greens/EFA Policy Paper on an EU Clean Industrial Deal