Economy, finance and business ministers from France, Germany, and Italy are set to sketch out plans for a sweeping “omnibus” law to cut requirements for businesses on Monday (8 April), turbo-charging industrialists’ demand for a European Industrial deal.
Heat pumps are slated to transform Europe’s heating sector, a process that has laid bare a skilled workers gap that industry and governments are aiming to fill by boosting female participation in the workforce.
Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton renewed his call for a broad European Sovereignty Fund to finance companies in strategic sectors, and help buy specific firms of “systemic importance” at a French parliamentary hearing on Thursday (1 June).
A global race has started to manufacture the millions of heat pumps needed to decarbonise heating, with Asian and East European countries taking a head start.
The European Commission is drafting a new target to have at least 40% of clean technologies manufactured in the EU by 2030 as part of a drive to meet climate goals and strengthen energy independence. Eligible technologies include renewables, nuclear power and carbon capture and storage, among others.
The European Parliament's environment committee voted on Wednesday (1 March) for a quick phasedown of F-gas refrigerants, in a move that drew criticism from the heat pump industry.
For EU lawmaker Eva Maydell, Europe's ambitious green agenda must be supported by a comprehensive industrial plan that shifts the bloc's focus to competitive sustainability and becoming the world's leader in clean technologies.
The German government is looking to acquire shares in renewable energy firms and provide support to wind turbine and solar panel manufacturers in order to encourage their production in Germany.
The European Union and the United States aim to complete a series of 'deliverables' ahead of the next high-level meeting in December, including a roadmap on trustworthy AI, a joint exercise on supply chain disruptions, and recommendations on charging infrastructure.
