On 26 February, the European Commission launched the Clean Industrial Deal, a major initiative aimed at strengthening European industry by combining climate action with competitiveness. This ambitious roadmap addresses critical challenges such as high energy costs, global competition and the need for industrial decarbonisation, setting out a clear trajectory for sustainable and resilient production across Europe.

Key initiatives

The Clean Industrial Deal includes several strategic initiatives designed to transform European industry:

• Access to affordable energy: The Commission’s Action Plan for Affordable Energy (Q1 2025) aims to reduce industrial energy costs through electrification, expanded renewable energy infrastructure and enhanced market integration.
• Lead markets for clean technologies: Measures such as the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act (Q4 2025) and the revision of the public procurement directives (Q4 2026) will create demand for EU-produced clean products, fostering innovation and industrial transformation.
• Investment mobilisation: A new Industrial Decarbonisation Bank (Q2 2026) will provide 100 billion € in funding for industrial-scale decarbonisation and clean tech manufacturing.
• Circular economy and resource security: The Circular Economy Act (Q4 2026) will promote material efficiency, recycling and secondary raw material use, reducing dependence on external suppliers.
• Global trade and industrial security: The Commission will negotiate Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (starting Q1 2025) and introduce a revised Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) (Q1 2026) to ensure fair competition and sustainability in international markets.
• Skills and workforce development: The Union of Skills (Q1 2025) and Quality Jobs Roadmap (Q4 2025) will address workforce transitions and ensure European talent remains competitive in the evolving industrial landscape.

ERRIN has already begun engaging its members on the implications of the Clean Industrial Deal. A dedicated session within the Strategic Cluster has kick-started discussions with European Commission representatives, focusing on how regions can enhance competitiveness through industrial transformation. Building on this momentum, the Low Carbon Cluster will host a meeting to delve into the energy, transport and urban-related aspects of the Clean Industrial Deal. This session will explore its regional and local impact, ensuring that ERRIN members play an active role in shaping and implementing these transformative policies throughout 2025 and beyond.

For more information

The EC communication: ‘’The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for decarbonisation and competitiveness.’’

Factsheet: Clean Industrial Deal