Making industry greener is Europe’s answer to China & Trump

Today, the European Parliament adopted its first resolution on the Clean Industrial Deal. The resolution includes a call on the Commission for a clear plan and concrete measures on how to make Europe’s industries greener and cleaner. Thanks to the efforts of the Greens/EFA the report includes a request for a clean tech plan, a strengthened social dimension and prioritised electrification, renewable energy, and energy efficiency to help Europe stay competitive and ready for the future.

Sara Matthieu MEP, Greens/EFA negotiator on this file in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), comments:

“Europe’s chance to compete in the world is green industry and technologies. The Greens/EFA group have put forward clear and forward-looking demands to ensure Europe’s industrial policy remains competitive, sustainable and socially just. Where usually the conservative parties weaken climate policy, we succeeded in convincing them that future proofing our industry is our answer to Donald Trump and China.

“Europe needs to mobilise every possible tool to accelerate the transformation of our industries into a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and just economy. The Greens/EFA pushed through that the resolution calls for a significant scale-up of investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification and demands that the Commission develop a clean tech plan. For the sake of our strategic autonomy we need to supercharge sustainable battery production in Europe to create futureproof jobs and support the transition to zero-emission mobility.

“However, investments alone are not enough. Europe needs well-trained workers, quality jobs, strong social dialogue, and sufficient resources for training. Taxpayers’ money invested in industry must also benefit workers and ensure fair working conditions. Only then Europe can achieve a truly just and sustainable industrial transition.”