Political Leader Seeks Exception from Climate Rules for Chemical and Steel Sectors - Political Leader Proposes Relief from Climate Regulations for Chemical and Steel Industries
In a recent statement to the German business newspaper, Handelsblatt, Reiner Haseloff, the longest-serving minister-president in Germany, expressed his concerns about the European Union's (EU) current sustainability strategy. Haseloff, who announced last week that he would not run for re-election in the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt, criticised the strategy as potentially harmful to certain industries.
The EU's current sustainability strategy, which includes the ban on new vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2035, has been a subject of debate. Haseloff called on the EU Commission to revise its decision, stating that the strategy could lead to the end of certain productions. He did not specify which specific industries he believes would be negatively impacted but expressed concern about the potential impact on the chemical triangle of Halle an der Saale and the automotive supply industry in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.
These concerns seem to be shared by others, as the closure of Dow Chemical's plants in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt by the end of 2027 is attributed to the EU's current climate regulations. Haseloff compared the EU's current sustainability strategy to a suicide commitment for certain industries, and he criticised it as such.
It's important to note that while Haseloff has advocated for a review of the EU's sustainability strategy, there is currently no evidence linking him to arguments aimed at exempting the chemical or steel sectors from climate laws in Saxony or Saxony-Anhalt.
The chemical triangle of Halle an der Saale and the automotive supply industry in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony could be significantly affected by the ban on new vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2035. As the EU continues to push for more sustainable practices, it will be interesting to see how these industries adapt and how policymakers address the concerns raised by Haseloff and others.
[1] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/reiner-haseloff-kritisiert-die-eu-klimapolitik-und-fordert-revision-10633784.html [2] https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2021-06/reiner-haseloff-klimapolitik-eu-kritik [4] https://www.dw.com/de/reiner-haseloff-kritisiert-klimaschutzgesetz-und-fordert-revision/a-58352371
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