Policy briefing: Principles for an Ambitious EU Green Industrial Strategy: A CLG Europe Position Paper

9 November 2023 – A position paper by CLG Europe calls for a comprehensive EU Green Industrial Strategy as a path towards a climate neutral, nature positive, circular and competitively sustainable economy. 

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This position paper outlines CLG Europe’s key principles and proposals for an ambitious EU Green Industrial Strategy. Over the recent years, the EU has made some welcome steps towards decarbonising its economy, including the Green Deal Industrial Plan (GDIP) and key associated initiatives, notably the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Whilst these have been positive developments, the EU’s approach to industrial policy remains relatively narrow in its aims, lacks new resources and is not yet sufficiently connected to the EU’s other wider approaches, such as its economic security strategy and wider approach to sustainable development. CLG Europe believes that if the EU is to achieve the goal of a climate neutral, nature positive, circular and competitively sustainable economy, it needs a broader rethink of its approach.

The EU needs a bold, forward-thinking and integrated strategic response which builds on the success and resilience of the European Green Deal by extending and mainstreaming it still further into the wider economic strategy of “competitive sustainability” – global excellence based on climate neutrality. This position paper identifies the main barriers to achieving the EU’s “competitive sustainability” and outlines key proposals for lifting them. It is based and builds on the previous positions developed by the Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) Europe and the Taskforce for climate neutral and circular materials and products over 2019-2023. 

Citing this report 

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). (2023). Principles for an Ambitious EU Green Industrial Strategy: A CLG Europe Position Paper. Cambridge, UK: CLG Europe.