The strategy for a Clean Industrial Deal (CID) is expected to provide a package of answers to the challenges faced by both the energy intensive industries that urgently need to decarbonise and transform, and the clean tech sectors that need to be scaled up in Europe. While we expect the deal to focus on how to financially support both sectors, it’s important that the CID also provide a clear vision for industry transformation built upon regulatory certainty and the fundamental principle of social justice.

For example, when it comes to regulatory certainty, in a new report WWF and Carbon Market Watch have calculated that a delay of CBAM by two years could cost the Innovation Fund, designed to subsidise decarbonisation projects for polluting industries, billions of euros - money that could be spent to lower the EU’s industrial emissions and keep heavy industries competitive with the rest of the world, which is precisely one of the aims of the Clean Industrial Deal.

What does WWF want? 

A Clean Industrial Deal that provides a clear, green and fair vision for industry transformation
 

Having a direction to travel is crucial to build a future-proof industry in Europe. The CID must not be thought of in isolation, but within existing and upcoming climate policies. It means that the 2040 climate target should be guiding the next EU industrial strategy.
 

Targeted investments will be crucial, focussing on green solutions and conditional on decarbonisation commitments and guarantees to maintain and/or create quality jobs. This also means to put an end to harmful subsidies such as for fossil fuels, while ensuring that the polluter-pays-principles is fully applied. Rather than writing heavy industry a new blank cheque, as some are suggesting, the vast financial support these industries receive must come with strict environmental and social safeguards.
 

Placing people at the centre will be key. A well coordinated EU industrial policy can also maintain and drive the creation of quality jobs in both resources and energy intensive industries and clean energy technology manufacturing industries in Europe. This must be guaranteed through social conditionalities clauses for public funds targeted at clean technologies as well as energy intensive industries. Moreover, shaping the next EU industrial policy will require the inclusion of various stakeholders in the process, including civil society.
 

An effective development of the EU green industry goes beyond fast-track permitting. To address the permitting issue, it will be key to look at it in a more integrated way. To give more prominence to other ways to speed up permitting beyond arbitrary deadlines, including early public consultations, and dedicated financial resources to secure qualified staff. 


WWF's vision on a green and fair EU industrial strategy