EU Industry Days: Navigating geopolitical challenges to EU’s decarbonisation efforts |
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| This morning, our Deputy Director General Luisa Santos took part in a high-level discussion on “Clean Industrial Deal – An Industry’s Perspective on Turning Ambitions into Actions” at the EU Industry Days 2025 in Rzeszów, Poland. The session was co-organised by Business and Science Poland, Danfoss, and our Polish member Lewiatan. |
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| Santos emphasised that the current geopolitical context poses significant challenges to Europe’s decarbonisation efforts. Export controls limiting access to critical raw materials, such as China’s new licensing procedures for rare earths, are disrupting supply chains essential for the green transition. At the same time, market distortions from industrial overcapacity are increasing pressure on companies that need to invest in clean technologies. |
| “Tariff increases in the US, one of the world’s leading markets, will likely make access to green goods and technologies more expensive,” she warned. Santos concluded that Europe must not turn inward. On the contrary, the EU should strengthen its resilience through market diversification, closer partnerships with countries committed to ambitious decarbonisation and rules-based trade, and the targeted use of its trade defence instruments. |
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| Water abstraction by economic sector in the EU 27 Member States, 2000-2022 |
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Source: European Environment Agency, 2024
Water is a vital resource for industry and businesses across all sectors. They rely on substantial volumes of water, particularly for cooling and production processes. A significant share of this water is recirculated, demonstrating strong efforts toward greater water efficiency. The European Water Resilience Initiative, published on 4 June, is an important step in tackling Europe’s growing water challenges. BusinessEurope will closely follow its development and contribute actively to the ongoing debate.
Read our paper on a future-proofed water policy here. |
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“We must preserve the tariff-free agreements that support our businesses in key sectors such as aerospace, spirits, and medical devices." Our President Fredrik Persson quoted in Economie Matin on 3 June, referring to additional US tariffs. |
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