European Union leaders are being urged not to dilute climate and environmental policies as they prepare to discuss measures aimed at reviving the bloc’s struggling economy.
Ahead of a summit focused on strengthening the single market, environmental campaigners cautioned that rolling back green regulations would not resolve the structural challenges facing European industry. They argue that sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals are under pressure primarily due to high fossil fuel energy costs, aging infrastructure, global overcapacity and delayed investment — not environmental rules.
The warning comes as EU officials weigh proposals to loosen regulations across industries including automotive, chemicals, digital technology, defense and agriculture. Critics fear that deregulation could weaken the EU’s carbon pricing system and undermine incentives for clean technologies such as green steel, low-carbon chemicals and electrified industrial production.
Europe’s economy has faced mounting pressure from global trade tensions and sluggish growth. Recent analysis indicates that progress on implementing wide-ranging economic reform proposals has been slow, with many recommendations still pending or only partially enacted.
EU leaders are expected to discuss competitiveness and industrial policy, while the European Commission is preparing new measures, including an upcoming Industrial Accelerator Act. The plan is expected to promote clean technology and may introduce “buy European” preferences in strategic sectors.
Campaigners stress that long-term competitiveness depends on maintaining a stable and predictable climate framework, arguing that weakening green policies could damage investment confidence and slow the energy transition.
