Press Release: Henrike Hahn, MEP (The Greens/ EFA): Net-Zero Industry/Critical Raw Materials: EU at the Forefront of Key Technologies

On the occasion of today's publication of the EU Commission's legislative proposals for a CO2-neutral industry ("Net Zero Industry Act") and on critical raw materials ("Critical Raw Materials Act"), Henrike Hahn MEP (Greens/EFA), industrial policy spokesperson, deputy head of the German Green Members of the European Parliament and shadow rapporteur of the Greens/EFA Group on the European Critical Raw Materials Act in ITRE, comments:

"We need the EU at the forefront of key technologies. The Net Zero Industry Act has the potential to bring European industry forward competitively and transform it towards a green economy as a job booster. We need Europe to focus on the millions of jobs created by renewable energies and by climate oriented industry. The Commission is now providing the impetus for a green competitive industrial policy that we urgently need.

However, the recognition of 'strategic projects' as priority projects of high public interest shall not call into question the best possible environmental and social framework that we urgently need to combat climate change.

It would also be highly problematic if technologies that are considered net-zero technologies include nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is not the answer to fight against climate change."

 

Furthermore, Henrike Hahn states:

"We need critical raw materials in the European Union for green technology and a green European competitive industry.

The European Commission's legislative proposal takes the path of an active European diversified raw materials policy that brings sustainable mining, processing, recycling and circular economy forward and makes the EU less dependent on autocrats and dictators. The goal must also be substitution of materials, priority for recovery of critical raw materials from mineral waste over new extraction and a committed recycling quota. Speeding up environmental assessments and public consultations shall not stand in opposition to the highest possible and verifiable ecological and social standards we need in Europe.

A blind call for more mining is out of place. Mining in European protected areas such as Natura 2000 must remain a taboo. We now need a green European raw materials and industrial policy that focuses on a competitive climate-neutral economy by 2050 and successfully implements the job booster Green Deal."

 

I would be happy to answer any further questions.

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