Accelerating permitting processes is key to strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness during the green transition.
Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Commissioner Jessika Roswall (pictured) hosted a high-level Implementation Dialogue on Environmental Assessments and Permitting in Brussels on 10 April).
The design and application of environmental assessments and environmental permitting rules at both EU and national level play a key role in integrating environmental and competitiveness considerations. These objectives are complementary and mutually beneficial, contributing to a stronger Europe.
The Competitiveness Compass sets a clear framework for Europe to become the place where future technologies, services, and clean products are invented, manufactured, and put on the market, while being the first continent to become climate neutral.
The European Commission followed up swiftly with the Clean Industrial Deal, featuring concrete proposals to ensure a clear, simple and smart regulatory framework for businesses.
These proposals include the Commission’s Omnibus proposal on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence. The focus is on simplifying and reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, making procedures for accessing EU funds and obtaining EU administrative decisions simpler, faster, and lighter.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Commissioner Roswall, said:
“Today’s Implementation Dialogue enables an open discussion with stakeholders to identify the potential challenges of implementation and simplification solutions. By working together, we can make procedures simpler, faster, and lighter, while keeping high environmental standards. This is crucial for our common goal: fostering Europe’s competitiveness while preserving our environment and health.”
Background
Thursday’s event will gather ideas on what action is needed to enable Member States to promote economic development and ensure clean and sustainable solutions, with a particular focus on streamlining permitting, including environmental assessments.
EU legislation requires an environmental assessment to take place before plans, programmes and projects are approved or authorised. Environmental assessments can be undertaken for individual projects, such as a dam, motorway, airport or factory or for public plans or programmes. Public participation in decision-making is necessary according to EU environmental legislation.
Accelerating permitting processes is key to strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness during the green transition.
In the last couple of years, the European Commission tabled various measures to increase the simplification and the efficiency of permitting procedures, allowing Member States to accelerate the approval of certain strategically important projects, such as in the field of renewable energy, critical raw material and net-zero industry.
More information
An EU Compass to regain competitiveness and secure sustainable prosperity | European Commission
Commission proposes to cut red tape and simplify business environment | European Commission