SET-IndEU and the new political guidelines of the European Commission

Europe, a continent historically synonymous with industry and innovation, has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. Amid global challenges such as unfair competition, high energy prices, labour shortages, and difficulties in accessing capital, Ursula von der Leyen, in her speech before being confirmed for a second term as President of the European Commission, laid the foundations for a new prosperity plan. These political guidelines for the period 2024-2029 aim to strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological leadership while addressing pressing structural and market issues in a delicate balance to preserve the commitments made in the Green Deal.

Launching a Clean Industry Deal, prioritising research and innovation, enhancing productivity through digital technology, facilitating business operations and deepening the single market, investing in sustainable competitiveness, and addressing skills and labour shortages are some of the key pillars of this new plan. Additionally, this comprehensive strategy seeks to support small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring they can thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

An incentive for sustainable industry

One of its fundamental pillars is the Clean Industry Deal, which, according to the President’s intentions, will be implemented within the first 100 days of taking office. Among its objective is to support industries in achieving a 90% emission reduction target by 2040; simplify regulations and foster investments to ensure access to affordable, sustainable energy and raw materials, and introduce the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act to help industries during the transition.

This deal underscores the urgent need to decarbonise and industrialise simultaneously, leveraging Europe’s progress in reducing emissions while growing its economy. This dual focus ensures that environmental goals are met without sacrificing economic growth, positioning Europe as a leader in sustainable industrial practices.

Recognising the importance of research and innovation, Von der Leyen’s new political agenda also aims to increase research funding focused on strategic priorities, revolutionary fundamental research, and disruptive technologies, and to foster collaboration between emerging science, technology, and industry.

Strategic link with SET-IndEU and the SET Plan IWG-Industry

The objectives and activities of the SET-IndEU project and of the Implementation Working Group 6 of the SET Plan on Sustainable and Efficient Energy Use in Industry (IWG-Industry) are closely aligned with the political guidelines issued by Von der Leyen. The SET-IndEU project, coordinated by Zabala Innovation in collaboration with A.SPIRE and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), plays a crucial role in improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable energy sources within the EU process industry.

This project supports the IWG-Industry in advancing the monitoring and review of the SET Plan’s Action 6 Implementation Plan, which aims to make the EU industry less energy, resource, and emission-intensive, and more competitive.

Upon reading the political guidelines of the European Commission for the period 2024-2029, we find that, on the one hand, these new initiatives can further accelerate the objectives and mission of the SET Plan IWG-Industry by supporting SET-IndEU’s vision of increasingly sustainable and efficient energy use in industry. In this way, the project contributes to Europe’s long-term economic and environmental goals.

On the other hand, the focus on research and innovation is also in line with SET-IndEU’s efforts to support R&D activities that enhance the sustainable use of energy and the competitiveness of the EU industry.

Europe’s new Prosperity Plan, in which the SET Plan IWG-Industry and the SET-IndEU project can play a crucial role for the interests of industrial stakeholders, marks a significant step towards sustainable industrial and economic transformation. By leveraging existing strengths and addressing current challenges, Europe will lead the global race towards climate neutrality and technological innovation, ensuring a prosperous and competitive future for all its industries and, consequently, for EU citizens.