EU metalworkers and employers join forces for a more sustainable EU climate change policy

Brussels, 25 May 2010

Today, the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and the EuropeanConfederation of Iron and Steel Industries (EUROFER) adopted a “Common position on EU climate policy”. The metalworkers and employers insist in a sustainable implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Directive (EU ETS) and oppose more ambitious European climate change targets in the absence of other countries committing to comparable measures. On Wednesday, 26 May, the Commission will decide whether it will propose a unilateral move of the EU from -20% to -30% in CO2 reductions within the next 10 years.

“Any unilateral move by the EU beyond its 20% target is unacceptable until other countries commit to comparable measures. Globally traded carbon-intensive goods, such as steel, need to be treated with equal measures in both developed and emerging economies in order to preserve the competitiveness of our industry“, stresses Gordon Moffat, EUROFER’s director general.

“European climate policies must be accompanied by social policy measures to ensure that industrial and technological changes can be properly managed. We want to see innovation stimulated and quality employment maintained and created in Europe”, stated Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary, “to do this the climate and energy package must be implemented guaranteeing a stable regulatory framework.”

Moffat adds, that “we therefore insist that the Commission implements the EU Emissions Trading Directive according to its letter and spirit - that is that the most efficient installations of sectors exposed to international competition must receive all their needs in allowances for free; and efficient steel recycling must be compensated for the increase of electricity prices caused by the ETS.”

“Our industry is the backbone of European manufacturing. To meet the challenge of climate objectives, we need far greater investment in R&D and demonstration from steel companies and public authorities. Without this investment, environmental and social conditions will be undermined”, stated Peter Scherrer.

Please find the joint position attached to this press statement.

Contact

EUROFER: Gordon Moffat, Director General +32 2 738 79 26 (g.moffat@eurofer.be); Axel Eggert, Director Public Affairs +32 2 738 79 34 (a.eggert@eurofer.be)

EMF: Peter Scherrer, General Secretary + 32 2 227 1010 (pscherrer@emf-fem.org); Judith Kirton-Darling, Industrial Policy Adviser, + 32 2 227 1055 (JKirton-Darling@emf-fem.org)