The Green Deal is best known as an environmental commitment — but it is also the only realistic strategy to structurally address the root causes of our industrial vulnerabilities: high energy costs, dependency on raw materials and the erosion of competitiveness. The Clean Industrial Deal must be built around this understanding.
If we, as policymakers, treat the Clean Industrial Deal as merely a reaction to short-term economic pressures, we risk losing the opportunity to shape a resilient, autonomous and future-oriented European economy.
Europe still retains excellence in several key industrial sectors. These are the foundations we must build upon to regenerate complete and strategic value chains — ones that serve not only climate goals but also industrial and geopolitical autonomy. Europe may not be ahead across the board, but we do have the capacity to lead again if we act decisively and cohesively.
In this context, the current political discourse around “simplification” raises serious concerns. Streamlining processes is necessary, but it must not become a cover for deregulation.
That would penalise companies, especially SMEs, that have already invested in clean technologies and sustainable innovation. They need a stable and coherent regulatory framework that rewards their efforts and facilitates access to finance, not a race to the bottom.
As I recently emphasised in the European Parliament, the Clean Industrial Deal must be backed by strong common tools. These tools must include joint investment strategies, coordinated industrial policies, fair access to critical raw materials and public procurement rules that prioritise sustainability. Without this, the deal risks remaining a good idea with little impact.
This article is part of The Parliament's latest policy report, "Delivering Europe's Clean Industrial Deal."
Strategic autonomy cannot rely solely on military or border policies; these are too often ideological, inhumane and ineffective. It must also include energy independence, technological leadership and the ability for Europe to define our own industrial future. As long as we depend on fossil fuel imports and unstable global markets, our sovereignty will remain fragile.
Moreover, the transition towards a cleaner future must be socially fair. Reindustrialisation should bring good jobs, stable careers and new opportunities — especially for young people, women and the most vulnerable regions. A truly just transition must involve workers, communities and local authorities from the start. This is not only about reducing emissions; it’s about building a stronger, fairer society.
As the new European Commission moves forwards with this agenda, we must ensure that the climate emergency remains at the centre of the Clean Industrial Deal. This is our chance to build an industrial strategy that delivers for people, the planet and the economy. We must not waste it.
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