The "ideological" green agreement undermines the competitiveness of the EU: The Federal Republic of Germany
The European Green Agreement represents an "ideological and extremist" approach that has undermined the competitiveness of European businesses to the detriment of economic, social and environmental development, said Antonio Gozzi, president of the Italian steelworkers association Federacciai. Global emissions growth continues to exceed European emissions reductions.
Even if all European enterprises suddenly stop production, global emissions will still continue to rise, as India, China and the United States do not need to undertake expensive decarbonization efforts, he said at the association's annual public assembly on Monday, which was overseen by Callanish.
The regulation introduced by the EU has become a major factor in the loss of competitiveness and market share in many sectors of European industry. The Green Agreement has effectively supported the Chinese industry in the production of solar panels, inverters, turbines and wind blades, energy storage systems and batteries, as well as electric vehicles, which has now become the undisputed world leader in the production of these technologies. This has led to Europe becoming strategically dependent, Gozzi warns.
"I recall the simple but convincing words spoken by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at last year's Confindustria Assembly conference in Rome: if decarbonization escalates into industrial desertification, it will be a disaster, because there is nothing green in the desert," Gozzi said.
He stressed that the carbon intensity of Italian steel production is 40% lower than the EU average and 61% lower than in China, which confirms Italy's position as a European leader in sustainable steel production.
Gozzi confirmed that the steel industry represents genuine Italian excellence and highlighted the difference between the crisis of the former Ilva and the crisis of the Italian steel sector as a whole. The association supports the government's efforts to save Ilva, but stresses that first it is necessary to create favorable conditions that could convince one or more private steel producers to take on the Taranto risk. No Italian steel producer has shown interest in Taranto, as conditions for investment have not yet been created, and local authorities are opposed to maintaining the company.
Since it is unlikely that Taranto will increase production to 6 million tons per year, a social plan to reduce staff due to reduced production is key to the survival of the steel mill. Gozzi added that private investors who want to invest should not put up with this.
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