EU should rebalance trade and become climate neutral
- European business presents its new energy and climate and trade strategies -
Today, BusinessEurope published its two new strategy papers on energy and climate policies and on trade policy, proposing adjustments to current EU policies.
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “The European business community stands behind the EU ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Today businesses are making huge investments and are ready to engage with governments and society to reach this objective of climate neutrality. Whether climate neutrality is possible by around mid-century in order to limit global average temperature increases to 1.5°C will depend on meeting a set of crucial framework conditions and actions. This means Europe needs a comprehensive industrial strategy for investments, large-scale availability of affordable low-carbon energy, full participation of its citizens and a rapid convergence of global actions. In global trade today, we are confronted with protectionism, increasing uncertainty and mounting pressure on the multilateral trading system. That’s why European businesses want an EU trade strategy that is open, rules-based and better enforced. Our top priorities are rebalancing the EU relations with China and the US, promoting a reformed and more effective World Trade Organisation and pursuing ambitious trade and investment negotiations that restore the level playing field for European companies while allowing more people to benefit from trade.”
Please see a short video statement and read:
A trade strategy fit for the 21st century
European business views on a competitive energy & climate strategy