16 October 2025: As EU leaders meet next week to discuss Europe’s industrial sovereignty and long-term competitiveness, over 130 businesses and investors from across Europe and the value chain, including Signify, Danish Chamber of Commerce, Mirova, Ingka Group, CCLA Investment Management, ACCIONA, Rockwool, Vattenfall, VELUX, Volvo Cars, are calling EU policymakers to secure its future competitiveness and technological leadership through a clear and effective roadmap for the Clean Industrial Deal.
Read the letter in full
In an open letter coordinated by CLG Europe, businesses, investors and business and investor networks and SMEs from across 18 European countries and beyond are urging EU heads of state and the European Commission to deliver an effective Clean Industrial Deal, and calling to align its climate ambition with industrial renewal, innovation, and strategic investment, as well as answer the calls for competitiveness in the Draghi Report.
Europe’s clean industrial transformation is key to its global competitiveness and resilience. As clean technologies advance and costs fall, Europe must accelerate investment and action to lead in climate innovation and energy efficiency. Success depends on clear political direction, stable regulation, and strategic support for industrial reinvestment. The Clean Industrial Deal offers a chance to secure Europe’s frontrunner position, if backed by targeted reforms, lead markets, and strong supply chain partnerships.
The letter signals the diversity of European business and investors support for preserving a clear, predictable and credible long-term regulatory direction, while only simplifying where necessary, with companies from sectors including, manufacturing, heavy industry, finance, energy, “seeing the green and digital transitions as a vital opportunity to boost Europe’s competitiveness.” As the letter states “Europe’s predictable climate and energy framework is one of its greatest competitive assets. The CID should therefore prioritise targeted reforms that make transformation easier and clean investment more attractive – with a practical, forward-looking set of immediate priorities.”
The letter outlines a business roadmap for resilience and competitiveness, urging action in eight priority areas:
- A 90% climate target by 2040 to signal long-term ambition
- Affordable clean energy and electrification to cut costs and boost independence
- Lead markets and public procurement for low-carbon products
- Accelerated cleantech deployment and strategic investment
- Mobilising investments to crowd in private capital and bridge the investment gap
- Circular economy as a strategic asset
- Speeding up the twin digital and green transition enhance productivity
- Cohesion and fairness to ensure the transition benefits all Europeans
The letter will be presented to Members of the European Parliament during a breakfast briefing focused on the drivers of business investment in decarbonisation, its benefits for competitiveness, and the role of policy in enabling these investments.
CLG Director Ursula Woodburn said: “There is enormous support from businesses and investors across Europe for an effective Clean Industrial Deal, as this statement shows. Globally there is a technological revolution and many businesses have invested in clean technologies in Europe. To ensure they reap the benefits of their investments, now is the time to turn intention into action to strengthen Europe's industrial edge. This means credible, long term policies such as a robust 2040 target, alongside practical, forward looking measures as we have outlined in our roadmap.”
Lars Petersson, CEO, Velux: “As European businesses, we need to strengthen our competitiveness, drive the green transition, and foster collaboration across sectors. The Clean Industrial Deal can accelerate the building sector’s efforts in creating affordable, healthy, and green living spaces for people. Therefore, Europe must stay the course and establish a robust, ambitious framework that supports long-term planning and investment.”
Carine de Boissezon, Chief Impact Officer, EDF: “Marking the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement is a crucial moment to reflect on integrating climate action deeply into our economic systems. Being ambitious on the 2040 target is important as a long-term vision but now we need bold interim drivers to accelerate electrification, building renovations, low-carbon transport, and prioritize low-carbon energy in public procurement, alongside investing in workforce training. Among the key political objectives ahead, the electrification action plan and the Industrial Accelerator Act are essential to turn this vision in reality.”
Hans Stegeman, Chief Economist, Triodos Bank: “The Clean Industrial Deal is about more than industry. It’s about building a European economy that is resilient, fair and sustainable, one that creates real value for people and the planet.”
Alice Steenland, Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Marketing Officer, Signify: “Europe cannot afford to miss this moment. With the Clean Industrial Deal, we can build a climate-resilient, competitive economy powered by clean energy, efficiency, and circularity. As the world leader in lighting, we know the potential is enormous: one-third of the EU’s 2030 emission reduction target could be met by switching all light points to connected LEDs. By scaling proven solutions, Europe can cut emissions 90% by 2040 and show the world that fast climate action drives jobs, growth, and competitiveness.”
Signatory businesses and investors:
- A1 Croatia
- ACCIONA
- Adapteo Group
- Altum Technologies Oy
- Aster
- AVEVA
- Banka BioLoo Limited
- Battolyser Systems
- BOSQAR INVEST (BOSQAR d.d.)
- Bus Eireann
- Capricorn Partners
- CCLA Investment Management
- Coca Cola Europacific Partners Ltd
- cylib GmbH
- D&D Isoltechnics
- DPAM
- DVOKUT-ECRO d.o.o.
- Dynoteq Ltd.
- Ecocem Materials Limited
- Ecofi Investissements
- Ecosia
- Eco Services BV // BASF SE Antwerp
- Electricité de France
- Energy Dome
- Ethos Foundation
- Firma Electrochaea
- Fortum Corporation
- GET Fund
- Goebel GmbH
- Henkel AG
- House of Lawyers B.V.
- Iberdrola
- IMBEO
- Ingka Group
- Ingrid Capacity
- INSPRO
- Inyova Impact Investing
- IPCOM
- Just Print d.o.o.o
- Kingspan Group
- KONČAR – Distribution and Special Transformers Inc.
- Law Office Josip Konjevod
- Leroy Merlin Polska
- Lumar IG d.o.o.
- Magaldi
- Martello Partners
- Matterwave Ventures
- MI ECO CONSULTING LTD
- Mirova
- MITO Technology
- NEW COMPONIT SRL
- Nexi
- Oikon Ltd. - Institute of Applied Ecology
- Owens Corning
- Planet A
- Ragn-Sells Group
- Rathbones Group Plc
- Rega Energy Group, SA
- Remake Society
- Resortecs
- Riva E Mariani Group S.r.l.
- ROBUST d.o.o.
- ROCKWOOL
- Schwartmanns Maschinenbau GmbH
- SICO d.o.o.
- Signify
- Span, d.d.
- SSAB
- TECHNO-Gewebe Vajen GmbH
- Thermondo
- TOMRA
- Triglav Investments
- Triodos Bank
- Unilever PLC
- Union Foam S.p.A.
- Vatfree.com
- Vattenfall
- VELUX A/S
- Vireo Ventures
- VITA PROJEKT d.o.o.
- Volvo Cars
- WELYA
- Windkraft Simonsfeld AG
- World Fund
- Zagrebački holding d.o.o. Business and investor networks and associations:
- ACT-SI
- Airborne Wind Europe
- BCSD Portugal
- B Lab Global
- Business in the Community Ireland
- CDP
- CEOs FOR FUTURE
- CER Sustainable Business Network
- CirEko
- Cleantech for Europe
- CLG Europe
- Climate Group
- Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC)
- Climate Strategy & Partners
- Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development
- Czech BCSD
- Danish Chamber of Commerce
- Ecopreneur.eu - The European Sustainable Business Federation
- Efficient Buildings Europe
- EUREC - The Association of Renewable Energy Research Centres
- Euroheat & Power
- European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE)
- European Industrial Hemp Association
- European Industrial Insulation Foundation
- FEAD - European Waste Management Association
- Forética
- Grüne Wirtschaft
- Impact France
- Haga Initiative
- MVO Nederland
- New European Reuse Alliance
- Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)
- REScoop.eu
- Skift
- SolarPower Europe
- Spanish Green Growth Group (Grupo Español para el Crecimiento Verde)
- Sustainability Embassy in Romania
- Sustainable Banking Coalition
- The B team
- The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE)
- UFE
- We Mean Business coalition
- WindEurope
- Women on Wings
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- Změna k lepšímu (Change for the Better)
