Background
This opinion was requested by the Spanish presidency of the EU with the aim of carrying out a thorough health check on the effect of EU policies on the competitiveness of European industry.
In August 2022 the United States signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), appropriating massive subsidies to spur investment in clean energy technologies, hydrogen production and industrial decarbonisation projects.
On 1 February 2023 the European Commission presented the Green Deal Industrial Plan to boost the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support a speedy transition to climate neutrality. The plan aims to create a more supportive environment for scaling up the EU's manufacturing capacity for net-zero technologies and products required to meet Europe's ambitious climate targets.
Bearing in mind that the EU is currently lagging behind in the face of the incentives being introduced in other parts of the world, without splitting the internal market we must help increase the EU's manufacturing capacity and industrial value chains for key energy technologies with low carbon emissions, necessary in achieving the green transition. The time has come for a clear assessment of what type of economy we want in the EU.
Practical information
Composition of the drafting group
Administrator in charge: Silvia STAFFA
Assistant: Catia ZIZZI
For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.