© Michel Gunther / WWF
Decarbonising Industry
Cleaning up industry to tackle the climate crisis
Europe’s energy intensive industries - cement, steel and chemicals - are responsible for around 16% of EU emissions.
See NGOs' key priorities for a greener EU Industrial Strategy (Feb 2021)
In order to get climate neutral by 2050, as the EU’s climate law requires, we must decarbonise EU industry, and especially energy intensive sectors.
What is the EU doing?
The European Commission launched an updated ‘Industrial Strategy’ in May 2021. In WWF's view this does not provide enough clarity on decarbonisation.
The EU also supports the development of hydrogen through its hydrogen strategy and a Clean Hydrogen Alliance (CHA). WWF is a member of the CHA in order to push for only renewable hydrogen from surplus wind and solar power to be used, and that only in sectors where renewable electrification is not possible, like aviation or shipping.
What is WWF doing?
The European Commission has until the end of 2022 to deliver on its strategy.WWF calls on the Commission to guide industry to play its part in reaching the EU climate neutrality target. It can do so through policy frameworks and financial support in order to build up markets for clean technologies.
The overall strategy will need to be linked with the upcoming revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive and its Innovation Fund under the Fit for 55% climate package.
WWF is calling for an end to free emissions allowances under the EU ETS. They should be replaced with the EU's planned Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will put a tariff on imports from regions with less strict climate rules.
More on WWF and Carbon Market Watch's ten priorities (March 2020)The overall strategy will need to be linked with the upcoming revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive and its Innovation Fund under the Fit for 55% climate package.
WWF is calling for an end to free emissions allowances under the EU ETS. They should be replaced with the EU's planned Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will put a tariff on imports from regions with less strict climate rules.
See NGOs' key priorities for a greener EU Industrial Strategy (Feb 2021)
EU climate neutrality by 2040 - can hydrogen help?
Read the briefing summary or the full paper
'Where did all the money go?' - EU ETS revenues report 2022 (November 2022)
PDF 3.42 MB
Carbon border adjustment mechanism - WWF response to EU Commission (October 2020)
PDF 138 KB
EU ETS reform 2022 - WWF recommendations
PDF 483 KB
WWF's asks for a revised EU Emissions Trading System that is fit for purpose
PDF 234 KB
Joint NGO statement on EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism proposal (December 2021)
PDF 322 KB