An EU Industrial Strategy for achieving the ‘zero pollution’ ambition set in the European Green Deal

The upcoming EU Industrial Strategy,announced by the European Commission as part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to be adopted in March 2020, will have to be consistent both with the EGD’s main objective of creating a climate neutral, circular and clean economy, and the new wider Zero Pollution ambition and toxic-free environment goals. For this to happen, the EU Industrial Strategy must mainstream the EGD targets across all main policy areas impacting industry: climate, energy,environmental impacts including chemicals, economic support mechanisms, research and development.In order to be successful in its implementation, the EU Industrial Strategy also needs to set clear and measurable targets with an ambitious yet realistic time plan, be inclusive and coherent as to the goals and ensure enforcement to level the playing field for industry.If the EU wants to be a frontrunner and innovation leader, the EU Industrial Strategy needs to be ambitious in substance.

This detailed position paper builds on the EEB’s input into the Industrial Emissions Directive evaluation process and is therefore focussed on industrial production within the largest industrial (production) facilities.