Renaissance Hotel, Brussels, Belgium
On 17 September 2013 more than 50 representatives from industry and EU institutions participated in the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) dinner debate Empowering ceramic competitiveness - the challenge of energy prices for the European ceramic industry.
MEP Andrés Barea hosted the event and gave the opening speech, which was followed by interventions from Mr Cozigou (DG Enterprise), Mr Gross (DG Energy), Mr Ferri (French Permanent Representation) and Mr Cafiero (Confindustria Ceramica). A lively debate then took place between representatives from the ceramic industry and other relevant sectors like glass and steel on the industry’s competitiveness and the future of European energy policy.
Several initiatives in this field have recently been implemented or are being developed at EU level, such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, Energy Taxation Directive, Energy Roadmap 2050, 2030 climate and energy package and the completion of energy market. Energy was also one of the priorities discussed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 22 May 2013. In particular, they requested that the European Commission (EC) prepare a report on the impact of energy prices on the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries and SMEs. Following that decision, the EC commissioned a report on energy prices in a few sectors, including bricks and roof tiles and wall and floor tiles. To read more about the publication of the 2030 climate and energy framework, read this article.
The presentations can be found here:
