Joint Industry Declaration – A 2040 Climate Target for a competitive EU

For the EU to successfully achieve the commission’s proposed 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, it is essential to outline the enabling conditions in order to meet these targets realistically. Therefore, Finnish Industries EK and our counterparts in Germany, Denmark, Ireland, France, Norway and Sweden, have published a joint declaration.

We urge European leaders to

1. Enable high-quality international carbon credits and incentives for carbon removals
2. Maintain global leadership to advance ambition, investments and level the playing field
3. Ensure effective carbon leakage protection and prepare a regulatory architecture that is fit for post-2030
4. Implement and review fit-for-55 instruments
5. Support technological neutrality

We stand united in supporting a 2040 climate target, as well as accelerated efforts and investments in implementation. Our recommendations aim to balance ambition with realism, integrating fair domestic action with the strategic and controlled use of high-quality international credits, fostering innovation, and ensuring social and industrial acceptance.

Only a resilient, fair, and competitive transition will allow Europe to maintain global leadership and deliver on our 2050 net-zero goal.

These efforts towards a competitive, resilient, secure, and sustainable Europe will uphold our collective responsibility as climate leaders.

We look forward to working closely with EU institutions, member states, and industries to ensure these recommendations and enabling conditions are effectively implemented.

Complete version:
Joint Industry Declaration – A 2040 Climate Target for a competitive EU

AUTHORS:
BDI – The Voice of German Industry
Confederation of Danish Industry (DI)
Confederation of Finnish Industry (EK)
Ibec – Irish Business and Employers Confederation
Mouvement des entreprises de France (Medef)
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)
Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (SN)