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Europe’s carbon market must cut emissions without cutting industrial production. In some industries, emissions have fallen alongside output and plant closures. The EU ETS revision should ensure that progress towards 2050 comes from investment and technology, not deindustrialisation. 

The Linear Reduction Factor should be adjusted after 2030 so allowances remain available through 2050. ETS revenues should support decarbonisation projects, while free allocation should continue where alternatives are not available at scale. 

For aviation and maritime transport, EU rules should align with international frameworks. Data centres should be removed from the scope where emissions come mainly from backup generators. These changes would link emissions reductions to investment while limiting the relocation of production outside Europe. 

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will test whether the EU can address carbon leakage while keeping investment in Europe. As implementation of the CBAM advances, companies face costs and reporting duties under rules that are still taking shape. Preventing carbon leakage matters. However, the CBAM should work in practice before scope extension is considered. Moving too soon could place burdens on companies and disrupt value chains, with consequences for investment and trade. The focus should be on avoiding measures that introduce further uncertainty and extending proposed safeguards in the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund beyond 2027. Learn how to shape the CBAM so it prevents carbon leakage while maintaining competitiveness. 

On Tuesday, 10 June, Thibaut L’Ortye spoke at EUROPEN’s panel on Global Partnerships and the EU Single Market. The discussion focused on how Europe can strengthen its competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination. Mr L’Ortye underlined the importance of external partnerships to support supply chains, particularly in areas such as critical minerals and AI, as well as secondary raw materials. He also highlighted the need for the EU to remain open to international investors while pursuing its economic security objectives.