Germany's VCI warns new EU climate goals to impact competitiveness

Frankfurt – The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has described the latest EU climate targets “extremely ambitious”, saying it would affect the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries such as the chemicals sector.

“A tightening of the target from 40 to 55% must be accompanied by measures so that energy-intensive products can continue to be manufactured competitively in Europe,” said VCI in a statement.

In a plan presented 17 Sept, the European Commission proposed to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and make the region ‘climate neutral’ by 2050.

In its statement ahead of the EU announcement, VCI warned that successful climate protection in the EU depended on competitive chemical production in the region.

Commenting on VCI general manager Wolfgang Große Entrup said Europe was "already far ahead" of other industrial regions in terms of climate protection. 

“Brussels has to think carefully about how it can keep industry competitive,” he said, adding existing carbon leakage protection measures have increased climate costs for the chemicals industry.

Competitors in China and the US, meanwhile, do not have to bear such costs.

“If these [costs] increase even further, the EU must also take more measures to ensure the competitiveness of its industry,” he warned.