If you’re tired of reading “competitiveness” in every policy paper, you’re not alone. This ubiquitous buzzword can mean anything: both cooperation and competition, regulation and deregulation, intervention and free markets. It’s a jumble that the new EU Commission must untangle in its first 100 days by clarifying the new clean industrial roadmap. How will the EU be made more competitive, for what purpose, and for whose benefit?
Big corporations have made their demands clear: more money, fewer rules. But civil society, scientists, and trade unions are demanding something different: if active industrial policy is back, let’s ensure that it serves people’s well-being and urgent ecological goals—not corporate profits.
🛠️ INDUSTRIAL POLICY RETURNS
TAKING BACK CONTROL – It’s not Batman, it’s industrial policy making a comeback! The state is stepping in, targeting sectors and activities deemed ‘strategically important.’ This government-led intervention once built modern European economies and laid the foundation of the EU in the early 1950s. But with the neoliberal shift of the 1980s, industrial policy was sidelined. Decades without a coordinated EU approach to industrial strategy have sparked fears of further deindustrialisation and increased dependence on foreign countries.
STRONG ENTREPRENEUR STATES – There’s no scientific evidence that deregulation boosts competitiveness. In fact, the EU, with the world’s most ambitious social and environmental regulations, is the second most attractive destination for investments in net-zero technology, second only to China, where state intervention is heavy. While industrial policy isn’t a silver bullet, it can offer a powerful framework for EU states to steer our economies toward well-being, zero pollution, and climate neutrality.
A POSITIVE BLUEPRINT – Yes, we could partly agree with Mario Draghi’s recent analysis: Europe needs investment, innovation, and a coordinated industrial strategy. But the ultimate goal shouldn’t be increasing productivity—it should be a resilient, well-being economy grounded in a healthy environment. Today, as we face overlapping social and ecological crises, we can’t rely on the same flawed economic structures and strategies that got us here. Our industrial policy must move beyond GDP and specific net-zero technologies; it should be a blueprint to tackle pollution, inequality, and our growing material footprint.
👉 Explore our vision for a prosperous and sustainable industry, supported by civil society and progressive industries alike.
👉 Read our policy paper on how to achieve a post-growth industrial strategy.
🌳 CAN’T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE PROFITS
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE – Yesterday, the European Council approved delaying the Deforestation Regulation—a flagship achievement democratically adopted, with a record level of public engagement and support. After decades of private sector failure to address environmental and human rights impacts, the new law is vital. By postponing its implementation and yielding to vested interests, the EU Commission weakens the EU’s credibility as a leader in combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and human rights abuses. A whopping 225 CSOs are calling on the EU to reverse this short-sighted decision.
CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE – As Commissioner hearings approach, the coming weeks will prove pivotal for rebalancing public interest against excessive corporate influence. It is essential that the EU Parliament resists the misguided and damaging narrative of simplification (aka deregulation). As EU citizens’ representatives, parliamentarians must take a firm stance on the Commission’s plans, demanding clarity and solid commitments to agreed-upon rules.
🚜 SCOPING POSSIBILITIES FOR TRADING AGRICULTURAL EMISSIONS
NEW REPORT LANDS – Despite the significant greenhouse gas emissions produced by the sector, EU agriculture remains a laggard of climate action. With many farmers already suffering the impacts of the triple climate, nature and pollution crisis, and with the EU not on track to meet Paris Agreement objectives, policymakers are now exploring the potential of an Emissions Trading System for agriculture (Agri ETS). The EEB has just published a paper that outlines opportunities, risks and challenges associated with an Agri ETS and sets out recommendations on how it could support the sector in meaningfully contributing to climate solutions.
💀 EU’S DARK WATERS
NEW DRIP – This week, the European Environment Agency launched its State of Water report 2024. Its messages are tough but crystal clear: EU policymakers must act swiftly to clean up Europe’s water. Less than 40% of surface waters are healthy, and while groundwater provides almost 60% of our drinking water, much is polluted with harmful chemicals.
FIXING THE LEAK – So what can policymakers and governments do? It’s simple: implement and enforce existing fit-for-purpose regulations—namely, the Water Framework Directive. With 78% of Europeans wanting more EU-level action in this area, this is the bare minimum. We also need significant changes to agricultural production, pollution reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Our full joint reaction.
🐖 (ANIMAL) PRISON BREAK
BREAKING FREE – This week, we released animals from cages! Outside the EU Parliament, we stood with MEPs to mark World Cage Free Day by calling on the EU Commission to #EndTheCageAge! In 2020, 1.4 million Europeans demanded an end to the use of individual cages on farms, leading to concrete commitments from the Commission.
IT MATTERS TO EUROPEANS – With billions of sentient animals being brutalised in cruel factory farms, Europeans demand better. As this EU mandate kicks off, and with a new Commissioner dedicated to animal welfare, we expect action from policymakers to honour their pledges to revise EU animal welfare legislation. Here are four good reasons why we must urgently improve animal welfare in Europe. Our full position.
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By: Alberto Vela. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Annick Hus, Ben Snelson, Ruby Silk and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
