The European Steel Association (EUROFER), together with other European energy-intensive industries, has presented a master plan for a competitive transformation to a carbon-neutral circular economy by 2050. The publication of the plan followed months of intensive work between the European Commission and 11 major European manufacturing sectors.
"This master plan describes several concrete policy priorities," says Alex Eggert, general director of EUROFER. "These include, for example, the creation of markets for climate-neutral and circular economy products, support for the industrial-level demonstration of breakthrough technologies and access to competitively priced low or carbon-neutral energy."
European industries are our partners when it comes to achieving climate and circularity barriers,' Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Commissioner said during the presentation. "A climate-neutral economy is not only a must for future generations, but also represents huge opportunities in terms of innovation, economic growth and job creation."
Jobs
Energy-intensive industries such as cement, ceramics, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, fertilisers, glass, lime, paper and refineries, provide more than 2.6 million direct jobs in the European Union and generate millions of indirect jobs. The EU steel industry, with 320,000 employees alone, accounts for nearly 2.3 million indirect and induced European jobs. These industries support Europe's key value chains in areas such as automotive, machinery, construction and energy technology.
However, the environmental impact of these industries remains as significant as ever, despite emissions having fallen by 36 per cent since 1990. No other sector of the economy has achieved greater reductions in this area. “For too long, the industry has claimed that achieving the ambitious climate targets set by the EU was either too complicated or too expensive. But the reality is that we need every possible means to tackle climate change,” says Eggert. “European citizens are demanding it. The planet and our future generations demand that we take action together.”
In line
The Master Plan offers various options for potential solutions that need to be developed further. Existing policy provisions must be brought into line with the principles set out in this report. If these are implemented, the most efficient solutions will be rolled out. One of the key messages of the master plan – although not explicitly stated within it – is that climate action – which entails energy-intensive industries becoming carbon-neutral – is a shared responsibility between industry, policymakers and society. The plan is not just in the literal sense – it is also a process aimed at fostering a better understanding amongst stakeholders of what is needed to make the transition to a low-carbon future a success. If it works, it would be a win-win for both industry and society as a whole.”
Source: Eurofer
