The European textile and clothing industry association, Euratex, and the Spanish textile industry trade association, Consejo Intertextil Español (CIE), called on European Union leaders to bring together their trade, energy, aid and sustainability policies in order to to support the development of a robust and modern European manufacturing industry.
A first step in this direction “would be to extend the scope of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) to the textile and clothing industry,” said Euratex President Alberto Paccanelli and CIE President Jose Vte Serna in a joint statement.
The Net Zero Industry Law proposed by the EU Commission aims to create better conditions for the production of and investment in clean technologies in Europe that can significantly contribute to decarbonization and reduce the EU’s dependence on imports. In order to achieve this, the EU wants to promote, for example, shorter approval periods, the promotion of innovations or better qualifications, for example by setting up Net Zero industrial academies.
In order to consolidate a strong industrial structure in Europe, the European Union should also ensure the supply of clean energy at competitive costs and contribute to greater international equality of opportunity in terms of sustainability.
“In recent years we have observed the implementation of incoherent and contradictory goals in trade, energy, industrial and sustainability policies. Although the circular economy promises to be a recipe for a competitive industry of the future, the likelihood of forcing EU industry out of the market and boosting investment elsewhere than Europe is very high. If this approach continues in the next few years, it will lead to a de-industrialized Europe dependent on imports from abroad. Such a Europe would be more exposed to geopolitical turmoil and would have no agency to convey to its citizens its vision of peace, well-being and a healthy environment,” the associations wrote in their statement.