Identifying Levers to unlock Clean Industry. Competitiveness Report 2016

The development of Clean Industries has obtained a central place in EU policies. The Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy, better known as the Energy Union package, puts forward the following five mutually consistent dimensions as the way forward: 1. energy security, solidarity and trust, 2. a fully integrated European energy market, 3. improving energy efficiency contributing to moderation of demand, 4. decarbonising the economy, and 5. research, Innovation and Competitiveness. Notably the elements on energy efficiency and decarbonising the economy lie at the core of developing Clean Industries, while the last dimension is necessary to enable these transitions. This policy choice rests on both social objectives and sound economic rationality, as a transition towards Clean Industries can bring about both environmental benefits and sustained employment as well as opportunities for EU businesses. The aim of the present study is to feed the new EU Global Technology and Innovation Leadership Initiative on energy and climate to boost growth and jobs (TILI Initiative), which is expected to be launched in early 2016.