Climate action is essential for competitiveness

Demands by German business leaders for the new EU Commission.

As an alliance of German business leaders who advocate ambitious climate policy, we support the climate targets of the European Green Deal. Europe will only remain a strong business location with a successful transition to climate neutrality. The companies that belong to the German CEO Alliance for Climate and Economy have therefore established ambitious emission-reduction targets and are investing in sustainable products and production methods.

The EU must stay committed to implementing the European Green Deal. To this end, we call on the new EU Commission to swiftly establish the political framework that provides companies with a business case to pursue sustainable transformation. Companies must be able to profitably adopt climate-friendly production processes. Currently, too many hurdles exist because of uncertain conditions for investment, excessively high energy prices in comparison to other world regions, a lack of sufficient infrastructure for sustainable energy, labour supply bottlenecks, and impractical regulations. They put Europe at risk of losing the global green race.

The next EU Commission must:

• Ensure reliable climate targets
• Provide sustainable energy at internationally competitive prices
• Strengthen domestic industry
• Secure financing for the transition
• Streamline reporting obligations
• Boost the availability of skilled workers
• Strengthen the EU’s global role