Cleantech news

European Industry needs the predictability of a robust ETS to Compete and Invest

EU's move to boost industry aims to block China but risks isolating allies

this week pondering what the Brussels equivalent is of the must-have leather Oxford shoes that Donald Trump is bestowing upon his closest advisers. “All the boys have them,” said a female White House official.

The conflict in Iran has created another challenge for the beleaguered EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Nations and sectors warn that volatile carbon pricing is harming competitiveness.

European Industry needs the predictability of a robust ETS to Compete and Invest

“Like the European Council, we the undersigned are deeply concerned about Europe’s competitiveness,” their joint letter published on Tuesday (10 March) states. 

Changing the phaseout of free allowances and other moves to weaken the ETS lessens the incentive for large industrials to adopt clean technologies, says Cleantech for Europe executive director Jules Besnainou.

"The shift in emphasis is "not an accident but by design," since "addressing concerns around climate change and decarbonisation is inseparable from strengthening Europe's competitiveness and energy security."

Of the €7.1bn awarded from the bloc’s flagship innovation programme for clean tech, only 5% has been paid out.

The annual Cleantech for Europe Summit returned to Brussels for its fifth edition. Cleantech and investment leaders to discuss a critical question for clean industry in Europe: To Lead or Not To Lead?

Victor van Hoorn, director at the industry group Cleantech for Europe, said that Europe needed to act faster to shore up its critical mineral supply chains after the ‘‘wake-up call’’ of the Chinese export contr

"It's essential that foreign investments, such as in batteries and other clean tech, come with technology transfer and the skilling of European workforce. This needs to be agreed upon at EU level"