AUTHORS: Chiara Antonelli, Ewa Jarosz, Amalia Tuchmann
This brief presents the main takeaways from the Science4Policy event on 4 June 2025, focusing on how the EU can ensure affordable energy while remaining competitive at an industrial level within the Clean Industrial Deal framework.
The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) organises a series of Science4Policy briefing events on European environmental policies. With these events, IEEP wants to create an open dialogue where MEPs, civil society, research institutes and businesses can gain insight on environmental topics relevant to the work of the European Parliament, as well as gather input from other key stakeholders participating in the discussion.
At the Science4Policy briefing “Ensuring affordable energy and a competitive European industry with the Clean Industrial Deal” held on 4 June 2025 at the European Parliament, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), with the support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung European Union and the MEP Group on “Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” convened MEPs, Commission officials, and civil-society experts to discuss the Action Plan for Affordable Energy Prices, the Clean Industrial Deal, and how the EU provide low-cost clean energy while remaining competitive on an industrial level. Hosted by MEP Christophe Grudler (Renew Europe) and MEP Ludek Niedermayer (EPP) and moderated by Chiara Antonelli, Head of Programme – Climate and Circular Economy at IEEP, the session featured a keynote presentation by Andreas Rüdinger, Energy Transition Expert at IDDRI, followed by a panel discussion with Baiba Miltovica, Head of Section at European Economic and Social Committee, Andreas Brieger, Director of SMEUnited, Tzeni Varfi, Head of Policy at SmartEn, and Jörg Mühlenhoff, Head of Programme European Energy Transition at Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU.
This brief presents the main takeaways from the discussion, focusing on how the EU can ensure affordable energy while remaining competitive at an industrial level within the Clean Industrial Deal framework.
To ensure affordable energy and industrial competitiveness while meeting climate goals, the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) must be supported by a socially just and efficiently implemented policy framework. This includes embedding equity across all policy measures, accelerating clean tech deployment through streamlined permitting processes, and harmonising energy infrastructure across the EU. Additionally, strategic investment in EU-based clean technology industries is crucial to strengthen Europe’s energy independence and industrial competitiveness. Achieving the CID’s objectives will require strong political leadership, binding sectoral emissions targets, and coordinated action across all levels of government.
Some of the policy recommendations discussed during the event include providing low-cost capital and reducing permitting timelines for clean technology projects, mainstreaming long-term clean energy contracts for both SMEs and large industry, developing EU-wide standards for smart green technologies, creating a true single EU market for energy, and integrating social equity into energy pricing.
Picture by Abby Anday on Unsplash
