EU regulation EU to emerge from the economic crisis in a climate-friendly way
In order to get Europe's economy back on track for growth, the EU Commission wants to approve state aid for climate-friendly industry more quickly in future. The initiative is part of a package of measures presented in Brussels.
26.02.2025, 13:39
SDA
The focus of the so-called Clean Industrial Deal (CID) is on energy-intensive industries and clean, green technologies ("clean-tech") such as wind turbines. In the package, the Commission announces several laws and legislative amendments for the coming months and years.
For example, EU regulations for public contracts are to be revised. European companies could benefit from this. The Commission also hopes, for example, that 40 percent of climate-friendly technologies will be produced in the EU in future. With these proposals, the Commission hopes to mobilize more than 100 billion euros in the short term.
While the EU Commission presented an unprecedented package of measures in the last legislative period with the "Green Deal", primarily for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the focus is now clearly on industry. However, the EU's climate targets remain unchanged.
Action plan for cheaper energy
One area that the Commission wants to change, particularly with regard to energy-intensive industries, is the comparatively high energy prices in Europe. According to an action plan presented by the authority, it is focusing on more long-term contracts - to counteract price fluctuations - as well as faster approvals for green electricity, more interconnectors and more cross-border trade in order to reduce prices.
The plan aims to achieve savings for industry and households of 45 billion euros in the current year, which are then to be gradually increased to 130 billion euros per year by 2030 in order to achieve savings of 260 billion euros per year by 2040.
A special unit for the gas market is to ensure fair competition. In order to lower electricity costs, the Commission is also calling on the member states to reduce electricity taxes and make it easier for consumers to switch to cheaper suppliers.
Europe's economy under pressure
Companies in the EU are facing increasing competition, particularly from the USA and China. This can be seen in the situation in the automotive industry, for example - Chinese companies have overtaken European companies in terms of technology, in some cases significantly.
But other sectors are also under pressure, with the threat of US tariffs further clouding the outlook. Productivity in the USA has risen significantly on average in recent years compared to the EU.
