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Revision of the Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (CEEAG)
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The Commission’s public consultation on the revised Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (CEEAG) offers s the basis for a thorough debate around the legislative framework that is necessary for a successful transformation of the EU economy towards climate neutrality.
European steel companies are already developing major emission reduction technologies and are willing to continue to accelerate this work in order to fulfil this objective. Such a major transformation of the sector will require significant investment in the new technologies while the sector needs to remain competitive throughout the entire transition and beyond. Furthermore, external factors not directly controlled by the sector (most importantly, access to competitive low carbon energy/electricity and feedstock) will play a crucial role.
The current Commission’s draft proposal on the CEEAG contains elements that may hinder the steel sector’s competitiveness by unduly increasing energy costs, as well as its transition towards electricity-based technologies. In particular, EUROFER underlines the need for revised state aid rules covering the full abatement costs of the new low-carbon processes for those sectors including steel that are the most exposed to international competition. Carbon pricing policies alone such as ETS don’t offer enough protection for counterbalancing carbon leakage-related problems.
Therefore, we need – as soon as possible – a comprehensive policy framework that preserves the competitiveness of the sector and creates the conditions for fostering the necessary investment.
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Brussels, 25 July 2024 – Major indicators in the European steel market show a steeper-than-expected downward trend, further impacting the outlook for this year and the next. Poor demand conditions, driven by ongoing factors such as high energy prices, persistent inflation, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, are exacerbated by a manufacturing crisis affecting the largest steel-using sectors, including construction and automotive. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, apparent steel consumption is further deteriorating. After a slump (-3.1%) in the first quarter of 2024, its rebound for the full year has been revised downwards (to +1.4% from +3.2%), as well as for 2025 (+4.1% from +5.6%). Similarly, output in steel-using sectors, after a decline in the first quarter (-1.9%), is projected to experience a deeper-than-expected recession (-1.6% from -1%). A recovery is anticipated only in 2025 (+2.3%). Steel imports continue to show historically high shares (27%).
Third quarter 2024 report. Data up to, and including, first quarter 2024
Picture Copyright: European Union, 2024 Source: EC - Audiovisual Service
Brussels, 18 July 2024 – The re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission paves the way for the continuation of the ambitious initiatives started in her first term. For a stronger and prosperous Europe, defining a pragmatic set of measures within the first 100 days of the new Commission mandate is the right step forward to ensure the success of the EU’s industry transition, if properly implemented. The European Steel Association urges that the Clean Industrial Deal be complemented as a priority by a European Steel Pact, as proposed by the German delegation to the European People’s Party (EPP).