European Green Deal

The European Commission designed the European Green Deal to become climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, emissions caused by fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas must be completely avoided or offset. Numerous measures support the medium- and long-term objectives, from a programme to build one million charging stations for electric cars across Europe to research into a CO2-free steel production. The European Union (EU) wants to increase its interim target for 2030 significantly: According to current political proposals, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by 50 or even 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. How can these ambitious climate protection plans be implemented? EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a package of measures for socio-ecological change as part of the Green Deal, which should benefit the people and the economy in Europe. In addition to investments in drastic emission reductions, the Green Deal also provides for increasing investments in cutting-edge research and innovation.

The Wuppertal Institute takes this opportunity to present part of its projects and publications on this topic.

Integrated industry and climate policies needed: Wuppertal Institute provides suggestions for implementing the European Green Deal
EU Commission's "Green Deal" sets the goal of achieving European greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. This poses major challenges for energy-intensive industries such as the basic materials industry. How can we strike a balance between the ambitious EU climate targets and the energy-intensive production of steel, cement, chemicals, glass and paper? Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick, Scientific Managing Director, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Director of the Future Energy and Industry Systems Division of the Wuppertal Institute, offer their recommendations for the future design of the policy framework. The In Brief, "An Integrated Climate-Industrial Policy as the Core of the European Green Deal," shows how the transformation process can succeed at the relevant levels. The two authors lay out four key agenda items:

• The establishment of climate-neutral and circular value chains for products in the basic materials industry
• Increased incentives and sufficient policy strategies for sustainable business areas along the value chains
• A clear policy direction for major technology and infrastructure investments
• An integrated climate, energy, and industrial policy as a central component of the European Green Deal

The task of designing a greenhouse gas neutral industry can only be solved jointly in close cooperation between industry, science and politics. The initiative "IN4climate.NRW", in which the Wuppertal Institute heads the scientific competence centre "SCI4climate.NRW" for a climate-neutral and sustainable industry, offers a platform for scientific support.

Further information on the projects and publications can be found under the links below.