At its June session, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in support of the Green Industry Deal, a policy initiative presented by the European Commission in February this year. However, not all MEPs back the proposal. According to Jadwiga Wiśniewska of Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS), the initiative does not improve the competitiveness of European industry and may particularly harm countries like Poland, which rely heavily on fossil fuels in their energy mix.
“The Green Industry Deal is driven by the ideology of climate-ism. The Draghi report clearly showed that EU climate policy is the main cause of the declining competitiveness of European industry. This Deal was supposed to be a response to this worrying trend. In my opinion, it will only deepen the crisis. It doesn’t solve the problem – it introduces regulations that won’t drive or boost Europe’s economy. Quite the opposite,” Wiśniewska told Newseria.
Anna Zalewska, another PiS MEP, echoed this view:
“The Green Industry Deal is a trick of words. It’s really a pact for green industry, turbocharging the ‘greening’ of industry. Despite the Draghi report at the beginning of this parliamentary term and the lessons learned at the UN climate summit in Baku last November – namely that the EU stands alone – such measures are still being pushed,” said Zalewska in a statement to Newseria.
What Is the Green Industry Deal?
The Green Industry Deal focuses on two main areas: energy-intensive industries and clean technologies. Its goals include:
- Reducing energy costs through an Affordable Energy Action Plan,
- Boosting demand for clean products,
- Increasing funding for the green transition,
- Improving material reuse in supply chains,
- Expanding access to critical raw materials,
- Developing sector-specific skills in strategic industries.
The European Parliament’s resolution emphasizes that the pact is a first step toward enhancing Europe’s industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy, decarbonization, prosperity, and clean economic growth. A key component is the proposed creation of an Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, intended to mobilize €100 billion in funding, alongside a pilot auction program worth €1 billion to decarbonize key industrial processes.
MEPs also supported:
- Protecting the EU market from unfair competition and overcapacity dumping by third countries,
- Strengthening the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM),
- Advancing the Affordable Energy Plan,
- Completing the EU’s Energy Union.
Critics Highlight Funding Gaps and Ideological Motivations
“Despite the few good ideas, the biggest issue is the lack of funding. Assuming the system will somehow pay for itself is a recipe for disaster and debt. We’ve seen this pattern with every directive and regulation,” argued Anna Zalewska.
“The solutions proposed by the European Commission are discriminatory toward countries whose energy mix still includes a high share of coal and gas. While the rest of the world rapidly develops, the EU imposes additional constraints on itself, limiting production capacity and driving emissions outside its borders,” added Jadwiga Wiśniewska. “This is another ideological move that doesn’t solve the problem but merely gives the impression that the Commission and Parliament are acting – when in fact it’s all superficial.”
PiS MEPs: Green Deal Is a “Green Bubble”
According to PiS representatives, the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 package are no longer viable and have become ideological constructs rather than pragmatic tools.
“The Climate Law and Fit for 55 are not about environmental protection. They’re about building a green financial bubble that’s expanding into every part of European life,” said Zalewska. “The Green Deal has been discredited. Even the European Environment Agency admits that the goal of a 55% emissions reduction by 2030 is unrealistic. Yet the EU now wants to amend climate law to aim for a 90% cut by 2040.”
“This climate ideology is destroying Europe’s economy. European companies are offshoring production because they can’t handle the burdens of climate policy. The Green Industry Deal is purely ideological. It won’t stop the decline in competitiveness,” said Wiśniewska. “And the loss of competitiveness means higher costs for workers and citizens. This flagship project of the European Commission fails to meet the expectations of many sectors, particularly energy-intensive industries.”
The Debate Continues
While the European Parliament views the Green Industry Deal as a positive step toward sustainable industrial transformation, strong opposition from some quarters highlights deep divisions within the EU over how to balance environmental ambition with economic reality. As the bloc seeks to lead the global green transition, it faces mounting pressure to ensure that its own industry is not left behind.
