This is a pivotal moment for the EU to revert the risks of deindustrialisation and reinforce both its climate and industrial leadership. An ambitious 2040 climate target demands a profound reshaping of energy-intensive industries – the backbone of the EU’s manufacturing strength and strategic value chains.
The transition will require breakthrough technologies, a sixfold increase in investments compared to the previous decade and a robust policy framework that enables the EU’s industry to remain competitive. However, in a policy landscape that prioritises industrial competitiveness, such an ambition must be grounded in pragmatism. This calls for a regulatory framework that is not only bold but also flexible and competitiveness-driven – one that fosters innovation, incentivizes investment, and allows for the scale-up of all viable solutions.
Only by aligning the 2040 climate ambition with industrial competitiveness can the EU secure its climate leadership while safeguarding the resilience and strategic strength of its industrial base. Any climate objective that results in the leakage of energy-intensive industries should be considered a setback for the EU.
Please click on the button below to read the full EII joint Position Paper on the 2040 Climate framework: