The European Parliament adopts the regulation for a “net zero emissions’ industry”
Proposed by the European Commission in March 2023, the regulation for a “Net Zero Industrial Alliance” (NZIA) reached a new milestone on Thursday, April 25, 2024, securing the vote of the European Parliament (361 in favor, 121 against, and 45 abstentions). This agreement reflects a strong political commitment to the European industry by supporting the relocation, by 2030, of a portion of green technology production necessary for energy transition, including photovoltaic panels, to the continent.
Support measures for the European green industry
The agreement sets a clear target: by 2030, the European Union must produce 40% of its annual green technology needs, such as photovoltaic panels, to meet its 2030 climate and energy goals. To achieve this, the text includes various measures:
- Relaxation of investment conditions in green technologies;
- Acceleration of construction permit issuance for clean technology production sites;
- Introduction of sustainability and resilience criteria in public procurement and tenders to incentivize the purchase of green technologies manufactured in Europe.
Towards a fair, sustainable, and responsible European market
CARBON welcomes this significant advancement, which will establish the conditions for a fair, sustainable, and responsible European market. This initiative addresses the challenges posed by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and Chinese competition, thereby reinforcing major industrial projects like CARBON’s, crucial for ensuring the energy transition and economic sovereignty of the European Union.
The need for rapid and ambitious implementation
The text must now be formally adopted by the European Council at the end of May to become effective. By signing the European Solar Charter on April 15, 2024, 23 Member States have already committed to swiftly implementing the measures of the NZIA regulation.
On Tuesday, May 7, the working group of the European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance (ESIA), co-led by CARBON, presented its recommendations. Together, they advocated for rapid and ambitious publication, implementation, and transposition of the NZIA in each Member State. A second position paper is expected to be published next June on the non-financial criteria of the NZIA.