18 February 2019 – The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group has issued a position statement in support of the EU Long Term Strategy and is calling on EU Member States to secure Europe’s competitiveness by prioritising net-zero goals by 2050.
The position comes ahead of a meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels at which ministers for trade, industry, research and innovation from all member states are expected to discuss the European Commission’s strategic long-term vision: A Clean Planet for All. The strategic vision outlines a range of potential scenarios for decarbonising the European economy, including a pathway for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Members of the Corporate Leaders Group believe the EU Council and Member States should fully endorse the vision of achieving net zero by 2050 to create a business climate which mobilises innovation and transformation to help achieve a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy. Aiming for net-zero helps business planning and is a driver of innovation, competitiveness and growth.
Eliot Whittington, Director of The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group said:
“An EU-wide strategy for carbon neutrality can unleash the innovation and investment needed to ensure European companies are best positioned to grow and prosper in a future economy that is good for the planet, people and business.”.
Maria Letizia Mariani, President Signify Europe said:
“Going net-zero carbon is the smart, obvious choice for the companies of today and of the future. The good news is that nothing is holding us back from stepping up our efforts. Existing, cost-effective energy efficiency technologies, such as smart LED lighting in combination with supportive policy and emerging business models have the power to keep us well below 2C global warming. So, let’s act and become carbon neutral before the middle of this century.”.
ACCIONA´s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Arantza Ezpeleta Puras said:
“It's time to invest in the planet. The EU net-zero emissions goal by 2050 will boost innovative business models based on renewable energies, energy efficiency measures, robust carbon prices and efficient climate disclosure which stand for the right incentives for our investors.".
