The Twenty-Seven reached a consensus this Thursday on their approach to the issue at hand. The Zero Emission Industry Act adds nuclear fusion and sustainable alternative fuels to the roster of strategic technologies. Who stands to gain from streamlined permits and eased procedures to accelerate domestic production of new low‑carbon sectors? In Brussels, the Minister of Industry and Tourism underscored that the Net Zero Emissions Industrial Directive will reinforce strategic autonomy and spur reindustrialization with green tech. Jordi Hereu voiced that one core aim of the Brussels meeting is to deepen dialogue with community partners on how to help small and medium sized enterprises benefit from Net Zero Emissions arrangements. “Small and medium‑sized firms form a crucial part of our productive fabric, and we want to invite them to participate and benefit from European policies,” Hereu observed.
Technologies to be introduced
The list expands the technologies covered by the new law from eight to ten, embracing solar photovoltaic power, thermoelectric and thermal processes; onshore wind and offshore renewables; batteries and storage; heat pumps and geothermal energy; hydrogen; biogas and biomethane; carbon capture and storage; electricity networks; nuclear fission energy and sustainable alternative fuels. This shift marks the most significant update the EU Industry Ministers approved in March to the proposal from the European Commission aimed at countering the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on the European economy. It also aligns with ongoing global investment trends, where billions have been committed globally and where China has announced investments surpassing substantial milestones. The discussion reflects efforts to ensure Europe remains competitive while advancing climate and energy goals. (EU Council, 2024)
Goals
The framework sets a target to meet or exceed 40% of annual deployment needs for strategic zero‑emission technologies produced within the EU by 2030. To reach this objective, the directive introduces permit deadlines for net‑zero generation projects based on size and status, and accelerates timelines for smaller net‑zero technology generation projects. Projects with an annual generation capacity below one gigawatt will see permits shortened from 12 months to 9 months, while projects exceeding 1 GW will move from 18 months to 12 months. These changes create a clearer, faster path for critical deployments while maintaining rigorous oversight. (EU Parliament, 2024)
Clean technologies
The Council’s stance clarifies that adding technologies to the strategic list should not curtail member states’ rights to shape their energy mix or allocate EU funds within the current multi‑annual budget. The directive opens negotiations with the European Parliament and broadens the category of non‑strategic “clean” technologies to include biotechnological climate and energy solutions, additional nuclear technologies, and transformative industrial technologies for energy‑intensive sectors. It also introduces an non‑exhaustive annex listing products used primarily in manufacturing these industries and their key ingredients. (European Council, 2024)
The agreement calls for periodic reviews of the regulation against established targets, leaving room for incorporating other relevant technologies in the future. The Twenty‑Sevens also set a specific objective for carbon capture and storage (CCS), aiming for an annual injection capacity of at least 50 million tons of CO2 by 2030. This target underscores the push to combine policy clarity with ambitious climate commitments. (EU Council, 2024)