European business requires realistic deadlines and green transition paths

European business requires realistic deadlines and green transition paths Shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

CBAM and ETS may lead to competition from companies that do not have to face the same climate goals

In a joint statement, 300 CEOs from 400 European industrial companies called for realistic deadlines and ways to accelerate the green transition, in particular through the implementation of decarbonisation projects.

This is stated in a joint statement of energy-intensive companies ahead of the plenary vote on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), reports ANSA

These companies from many sectors, including the metallurgy and energy sectors, provide 2.6 million jobs.

The material noted that CBAM and ETS could lead to competition from companies that do not have to face the same climate goals.

It can also damage the ability of industrial sectors to invest in green technologies, as increasing the cost of carbon, when funds are needed to invest in decarbonisation, reduces resources for green investment.

"The paradox is that reducing quotas on free services, rather than speeding up, will slow down emission reductions, making it harder to develop green technologies," ANSA reported.

The statement said that the risk is that low-cost and high-carbon imports from outside the EU (eg India, Turkey, China, etc.) will increase exponentially. This could lead to the relocation of emissions outside the EU, as well as the closure of companies and the dismissal of workers.

We will remind, The European Parliament will accept the final decision on the carbon market.

As EcoPoliticа reported earlier, the European Parliament is called upon counteract carbon leakage in the paper industry.

Related
There is no ideal candidate for NETS: experts’ views on the proposed draft laws
There is no ideal candidate for NETS: experts’ views on the proposed draft laws

Spoiler: the experts do not have a single clear favourite, but their list of necessary improvements turned out to be fairly unanimous

ETS in Ukraine: a detailed analysis of all draft laws, without any unnecessary commentary
ETS in Ukraine: a detailed analysis of all draft laws, without any unnecessary commentary

Four draft laws, one carbon market and billions in future revenue: we break down who stands to gain what

Technology developed by Swiss scientists could turn cement plants into CO₂ capture facilities
Technology developed by Swiss scientists could turn cement plants into CO₂ capture facilities

Capture efficiency is estimated at 85–96 per cent

A timeline of legislative initiatives relating to the NETS: key points of all draft bills
A timeline of legislative initiatives relating to the NETS: key points of all draft bills

Officials and members of parliament are offering different responses to two key questions: how much will companies have to pay for emissions, and who will receive the collected multibillion resources?