Preventing irreversible deindustrialisation: Europe must act now on Energy and Carbon Costs
Energy-intensive industries (EIIs) are the backbone of Europe’s economy, supporting critical value chains such as construction, transport, energy, food security and defence. They are also indispensable for the green and digital transitions.
But Europe’s EIIs are under severe pressure.
Persistently high energy prices, rapidly increasing carbon costs and unfair global trade practices are eroding competitiveness, blocking investments and leading to plant closures.
- Since 2008, 1.5 million jobs have been lost in EIIs.
- In 2025 alone, production levels fell by up to 40%, with around 200,000 additional jobs lost.
- The EU trade balance for EIIs has been increasingly negative since 2018.
Against this backdrop, and ahead of the informal EU leaders’ meeting on competitiveness on 12 February, EIIs call for immediate and decisive action:
- Stop further increases in carbon costs in 2026, as key conditions for decarbonisation are not yet in place
- Cut total energy costs for energy-intensive industries and restore global competitiveness
- Strengthen Trade Defence Instruments to tackle unfair trade practices and global overcapacities
- Create demand for “products proudly made in Europe”, including through public procurement and transparency on product origin
Europe’s industrial base is at risk.
Competitiveness, resilience, and decarbonisation must go hand in hand, and action cannot wait.
Discover the full Joint Statement and the Statistical annex based on primary industry data by clicking in the buttons below: