Jean-Claude Marcourt launches a debate centred around the energy challenges of European industry
The European Union’s commitments on the issue of climate change are ambitious. They exceed those of its primary competitors on the international markets and are leading to weighty challenges for European firms.
To start up a public debate on this subject, Minister Jean-Claude MARCOURT is organising a conference on the energy challenges of European industry. It will be held in Spa, on 16 and 17 September 2010.
In the course of these two days, around 200 participants, coming from all spheres, will call to mind the numerous facets of this subject. In this way they will contribute to the discussions that the European Ministers of Industry will hold during the Competitiveness Council this 25 and 26 November, where the initial results of the Spa meeting are meant to be presented.
This event is in keeping with the publication of a new industrial policy and of the European Plan for Innovation and Research. One of the challenges of future industrial policy will consist in guaranteeing that the companies established in Europe have access to energy resources. But the costs of access to energy resources are higher in the European Union than for its main competitors at international level, especially because of the environmental standards and the Union’s objectives where emissions are concerned.
Several industrial sectors will table proposals today. Political and economic actors are currently agreed on one essential point: the energy challenges are not necessarily constraints. They can also be an opportunity faced with the new expectations of consumers.
The Spa Conference will bring together numerous companies from all sectors. Very high level executives of international undertakings like AREVA, Shell, Siemens, and representatives of European organisations will be on hand.
This conference sets an example in terms of care for the environment. Since the preparatory stage, climate impacts linked to its organisation have been identified in partnership with Climact. Solutions to minimise its impact have been examined and implemented. The solutions used relate primarily to the travel methods used by speakers and delegates, the facilities offered, in particular through the use of electric vehicles, logistics through the use of marquees with a plastic roof that lets the sun’s rays in, catering that favours local produce and cold meals, and accommodation in nearby hotels.
