Green Deal: Overview

Throughout its long history, industry has proven its ability to lead change and it must now do the same as Europe embarks on its transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership in an ever-changing and ever more unpredictable world. The new European Industrial Strategy aims to ensure that European industry can lead the way though this transition.

The fundamentals of Europe’s industrial transformation

1. Creating certainty for industry: A deeper and more digital single market
2. Upholding a global level playing field
3. Supporting industry towards climate neutrality
4. Building a more circular economy
5. Embedding a spirit of industrial innovation
6. Skilling and reskilling
7. Investing and financing the transition

 

The new European Industrial strategy - EU proposed actions [EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2020]

• Single Market Enforcement Action Plan and Single Market Barriers Report
• Setting up a Single Market Enforcement Task-Force, composed of Member States and the Commission (brief context)
• SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe
• Evaluate, review and, if necessary, adapt EU competition rules as of 2021, including the ongoing evaluation of merger control and fitness check of State aid guidelines (Also see factsheet: Competition policy and the Green Deal - European Commission (europa.eu))
• Intellectual Property Action Plan to assess the need to upgrade the legal framework, ensure a smart use of IP, better fight IP theft
• Follow-up to the European Data Strategy to develop an EU data economy, including the launch of common European data spaces in specific sectors and value chains
• Digital Services Act to update and strengthen the legal 
• Initiative on improving the working conditions for platform workers.

• White paper on an instrument on foreign subsidies by mid-2020, also looking at foreign access to public procurement and EU funding (COM 2020/253).
• Strengthening the global rules on industrial subsidies in the World Trade Organization.
• Swift adoption of the International Procurement Instrument.(Also see factsheet: Internaltional procurement instruments - factsheet (europa.eu))
• Action plan on the Customs Union in 2020 to reinforce customs controls, including a legislative proposal for an EU Single Window to allow for fully digital clearance processes at the border.(Also see:

   2nd Biennial Report on Progress in Developing the EU Customs Union and its Governance

  SWD/2020/0213 final)

 

• Strategy for smart sector integration. (Also see: Factsheet; An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration COM/2020/299 final)

• A Common European Energy data space will exploit the potential of data to enhance the innovative capacity of the energy sector.(Full text)

• Launch the Just Transition Platform to offer technical and advisory support for carbon-intensive regions and industries. (Also see: Green Deal Overiew section)

• EU Strategy on Clean Steel and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. (European Parliament resolution; Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; The zero-emission steel plant of the future)

• Review of the Trans-European Network Energy regulation.

• EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy.

• Comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility.

• ‘Renovation Wave’ Initiative and Strategy on the built environment.(Also see: From Construction 2020
  to a new vision for a sustainable Built Environment; Factsheet: Building and Renovating; Energy performance of buildings; Energy performance of buildings Directive 2010/31/EU; Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011)

• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to reduce carbon leakage, in full compatibility with WTO rules. 

• Circular Economy Action Plan adopted in parallel with this strategy, including a new sustainable product policy framework. (Also see Factsheet; COM(2020) 98)
• New Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Batteries (Also see: Report; Batteries & Accumulators; Recycling processes of waste batteries and accumulators)
• EU Strategy for Textiles.
• Circular Electronics Initiative
• Empowering consumers to play an active role in the circular economy, through better information on products and improved consumer rights

 

 

 

• Communication on the Future of Research and Innovation and the European Research Area to map out a new approach to innovation and ensure the EU budget is used with maximum impact (Also see: Strategy on research and innovation European Commission (europa.eu); EU agreement on future research and innovation programme - Consilium (europa.eu))
• Launch Public Private Partnerships in the Horizon Europe programme.

 

• An update of the Skills Agenda for Europe in 2030, including a recommendation on Vocational Education and Training (Also see: Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience)
• Launch of a European Pact for Skills (Also see: Skills Panorama)
• Communication on a European Education Area Strategic Framework (Also see: European Education Area (europa.eu); European Universities Initiative; Education and Training Monitor | Education and Training (europa.eu))
• Digital Education Action Plan (Also see: The Digital Competence Framework 2.0 | EU Science Hub (europa.eu))
• Implementation of the EU Gender Strategy, adopted in March 2020

 

• Work with Parliament and Council to ensure rapid adoption and implementation of the next long-term budget.
• Consider scope for coordinated investment by Member States and industry in the form of new IPCEIs and on the possible follow-up to the first IPCEIs on batteries and microelectronics
• Review State aid rules for IPCEIs, including energy transition projects (Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of important projects of common European interest)
• A renewed sustainable finance strategy
• A new Digital Finance Strategy
• Action Plan on the Capital Markets Union in 2020, including measures in support of integrated capital markets and more funding opportunities for citizens and businesses

 

• Follow-up to the 5G Communication and the Recommendation on cybersecurity of 5G networks (5G for Europe Action Plan, Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu))
• Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries, including at the level of programmes, technologies, innovation and start-ups (A New Deal for European Defence: Commission proposes industrial action plan, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (europa.eu))
• A new EU pharmaceutical strategy in 2020, including actions to secure supplies and ensure innovation for patients (Also see: A pharmaceutical strategy for Europe: First steps (europa.eu))
• An Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials, including efforts to broaden international partnerships on access to raw materials (Also see: Critical Raw Materials Resilience: Charting a Path towards greater Security and Sustainability)

 

• Building on the successful template of industrial alliances, a new European Clean Hydrogen Alliance will be launched. Alliances on low-carbon industries, Industrial Clouds and Platforms and raw materials should follow when ready
• The Commission will undertake a thorough screening and analysis of industrial needs and identify ecosystems needing a tailor-made approach
• An inclusive and open Industrial Forum will be setup by September 2020 to support this work (Also see: Industrial policy - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (europa.eu))