Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: PlasticsEurope appears to have predominantly positive, yet at times negative, positions on climate change policies, with limited engagement on EU climate regulation. While expressing positive top-line messaging for increased ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strongly supporting energy efficiency legislation under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the organization appeared unsupportive of a range of climate policies, such as the EU Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: PlasticsEurope has communicated broad support for long-term climate ambition and regulation. For example, the organization stated support for the EU Green Deal and an enabling policy framework to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, on a dedicated webpage to climate change, accessed in March 2023.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: PlasticsEurope has limited and predominantly negative engagement with climate policy. In a position paper published in March 2022, PlasticsEurope advocated against the inclusion of the plastics sector in the EU Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), arguing the Commission’s proposal did not provide sufficient guarantees against carbon leakage, and suggesting a phase-out of free allowances would increase costs for the EU industry. In a March 2021 comment to policymakers on the Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, PlasticsEurope supported prioritizing 'deep renovation' to reduce buildings' energy related greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Between 2021-2022, PlasticsEurope did not appear to disclose a detailed position on the energy transition. However, the association communicated broad support for a transition to renewable energy and green hydrogen production via its corporate website, accessed in March 2023.