Green Deal has to work for companies and citizens

Today, the European Commission presented its work programme 2020. This concrete roadmap includes some key areas for Europe’s future, such as digitalisation and the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). European companies are now looking forward to a smart, modern and ambitious industrial strategy, to be presented in early March.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "European business is ready to play an essential role to make the Green Deal a success. But substantive questions remain and policy-makers should be extremely vigilant that constant changes of the rules of the game are unsettling investors. At the same time, European companies and citizens must be supported during the profound transition to a low-carbon economy. And our European industries need a level playing field with other major CO2 emitters like China, India or the USA.

Decisions on minimum wages should stay a national competence as wage negotiations are best dealt with by social partners at national level.

An ambitious industrial strategy will be key for Europe’s success in the world and to deliver growth and jobs for people. Furthermore, the Commission should put the Single Market back at the centre of its agenda and remove the remaining obstacles.”