EU Industry pivotal to enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy

According to the report released by the Institute for European Studies (IES) – Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the flat glass industry and other energy intensive sectors are essential to enable the transition to a low-carbon economy. The report provides new insights into the debate around the coming EU Commission’s Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions and solid analysis of the potential of Energy Intensive Industries operating in Europe.

Glass for Europe participated in the study as member of Glass Alliance Europe and provided data and evidences on the low-CO2 technology options available for the flat glass sector.

The report highlights that products coming from Energy Intensive Industries, like performant insulated glass units, are crucial to achieve significant emission reductions in all economic sectors (e.g. energy, buildings and transport). By innovating in its manufacturing processes and providing energy savings solutions, the flat glass industry already contributes to the transition to a low-carbon economy. As stated by the group of Energy Intensive Industries, the long-term EU GHG emission reduction strategy should preserve the industry’s role as a provider of the economic growth and enabler of the transition by supporting the industry’s potential to innovate.

To download the report: LINK
To discover the 80 low-CO2 technology options available for energy-intensive industries: LINK  
To read the Press Release of the group of Energy Intensive Industries: LINK

From the report

The report states that a new and integrated EU industrial strategy for Energy Intensive Industries as part of a competitive low-CO2 transition is needed and must include:

• The design and implementation of an EU flagship ‘mission oriented’ R&D programme that addresses the main challenges towards competitive low-CO2 processes in energy intensive industries. Adequate support for demonstration of advanced low- CO2 technologies towards market readiness.
• The strategic alignment of the EU’s energy and industry transitions in particular with regard to adequate and competitive supply of low-CO2 electricity to energy intensive industries.
• Development of adequate financing mechanisms to face the high CAPEX that comes with lowCO2 process investments including support for replacement of existing and productive assets with low-CO2 processes. A state aid regime that acknowledges the size and scope of the industrial low-CO2 transition.
• Urgent strategic industrial low-CO2 infrastructure planning with focus on regional and transnational industry clusters and industrial symbiosis and development of EU industrial projects of common interests.
• Smart regulatory instruments can assist with lead market creation for low-CO2 products and processes. This includes the use of public procurement and development of low-CO2 standards for products.
• Finally, during the transition continued protection for energy intensive industries should be provided to safeguard competitiveness and investments in Europe.