Energy prices must fall, bureaucracy must go away and green solutions must come in. These are the main headlines of the European Commission's proposal for a Clean Industrial Deal, which will be presented in Brussels on Wednesday. This is according to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
- We know that there are still too many obstacles for our European companies. From high energy prices to an excessively large regulatory burden. The Clean Industrial Deal must cut the ties that still hold our companies back, says von der Leyen.
The aim of the proposal is to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe's manufacturing industry. It is struggling with tough international competition and falling demand, says the President of the European Commission.
- Europe is not only a continent of industrial innovation, but also a continent of industrial production. But demand for clean products has waned, and some investments have shifted to other regions, says von der Leyen.
It is, among other things, competition from China and the US that is pulling jobs and companies out of Europe, while too many regulations are making life difficult for the companies that remain, it says.
Six initiatives
The plan also aims to strengthen the green transition. The goal is to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. In the proposal, the EU Commission aims to achieve the goals through six separate initiatives.
Denmark's EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, is leading the first proposal. It is about bringing down energy prices.
In addition, the EU Commission is also planning to simplify regulations, buy more green solutions from European companies and ensure companies have access to raw materials, financing and a well-educated workforce.
The proposal is a "Kinder egg" for business because it addresses several of the most important challenges at once. This is what Rikke Wetendorff Nørgaard says. She is head of European policy at the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).
- It bodes well that the EU Commission is now presenting a comprehensive growth strategy, says Rikke Wetendorff Nørgaard.
The Danish Chamber of Commerce is also satisfied that the proposal is trying to strengthen competitiveness and green transition at the same time.
- European business is playing with a brick in its leg in global competition. In Danish Business, we are therefore positive about the announcements coming from the Commission today, says Ulrich Bang, Deputy Director for Climate, Energy, Environment and Construction in Danish Business.
SF: Fine words must be translated into action
The proposal is also well received by the Green parties in the EU Parliament. SF's member of the EU Parliament, Rasmus Nordqvist, would like to see more focus on recycling waste in the plan, but says:
- There are many good measures in what the Commission is presenting. Now it's about how we can turn the many fine words into action quickly.
- Everyone agrees that Europe must stand stronger in its own right, and here energy independence and a transformation of our industry are absolutely essential, says Rasmus Nordqvist.
With this proposal, von der Leyen is living up to her promise to present a Clean Industrial Deal within the first 100 days of the EU Commission's mandate.
/ritzau/
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