Cepi with the Support of Partners from the Clean Energy Sector Launch Climate and Energy Checklist for Incoming EU Policymakers
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Cepi, representing pulp and paper manufacturers, with the support of partners from across the clean energy sector published today a list of EU policies needed to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, from an industrial perspective.
The upcoming elections to the European Parliament and a new European Commission mandate are an opportunity for policymakers to define and address the gaps in the policy framework for climate and energy.
In turning the legislative package of the EU Green Deal into action, Europe can offer the world a model for a climate-compatible industry. This implies that moving away from fossil fuels as a source of energy for the EU’s industry should go hand in hand with preserving the global competitiveness of the Union’s manufacturing sector. The contrary risks leading to a European deindustrialisation and unintendedly increase global CO2 emissions, as a result of the EU’s comparatively cleaner industry losing to global competitors. The pulp and paper sector itself already holds an impressive track record where it comes to decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions, with a 39% CO2 emissions reduction since 2005.
Cepi and a covenant of supporting organisations from the energy sector proposes a checklist of five critical conditions and policy asks:
- Ensure the industry's access to abundant affordable fossil-free energy, for both power and heat.
- Facilitate on-site renewable energy production and allow the industry to contribute to Europe's energy self-sufficiency.
- Promote voluntary industry integration to achieve emission reductions at system level.
- Enable financial instruments to mitigate risks associated with industrial investments in new installations or significant refurbishments.
- Encourage innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy integration in industrial processes.
The advisory group to the Forum includes sectoral organisations Bioenergy Europe, the European Biogas Association (EBA), the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), Solar Heat Europe, Solar Power Europe, Wind Europe, the Finnish research lab VTT, Re-Source, a European platform for corporate renewable energy sourcing and COGEN Europe, the European association for the promotion of cogeneration. The document is also supported by the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE), Euroheat & Power and Nuclear Europe.
Jori Ringman, Director General Cepi, Confederation of European Paper Industries, said: “Our sector has exemplified commitment to climate policies, yet further policy action is essential to meet Europe's targets without risking an EU rust belt. The decision-makers need to recognise that the success of European economic decarbonisation relies on maintaining global competitiveness in manufacturing. Striking this balance is vital for maintaining sustainability and preserving the strength of the pulp and paper sector.”
