EU should link Green Deal to industrial policy to ensure international competitiveness – German industry

(Clean Energy Wire, 26 Oct 2023) The EU still lacks an ambitious industrial strategy to accompany the Green Deal to strengthen the bloc's industry and ensure it is able to keep up in the global race for the green technological development, according to a policy paper from the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

Green Deal policy-making until now "illustrates that industrial competitiveness has clearly been shortchanged in the implementation of the Green Deal so far," the lobby group wrote in a paper outlining its priorities for the European Parliament's next legislative period.

"It is now crucial to support industrial transformation, to promote the market ramp-up of net-zero technologies, to systematically accelerate licensing procedures," added BDI. Between 2024 and 2029, the EU should ensure internationally competitive electricity prices and rapidly expand supply on the electricity market to secure the competitiveness of its industry, according to the BDI. Additionally, policymakers should also "dismantle national barriers" to expand energy and transport infrastructure in the bloc, as well as increase support for investment in the green transition.

A new balance between sustainability requirements and strategic economic interests also needed to be struck for future international agreements, especially in the areas of trade, investment, and raw material policy.

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Clean Energy Wire, 26 Oct 2023: EU should link Green Deal to industrial policy to ensure international competitiveness – German industry