In a landmark move, Dutch Minister for the Environment Vivianne Heijnen spearheaded a collaborative effort with France, the Czech Republic, and Ireland, presenting a groundbreaking proposal titled ‘A Call for a European Sustainable Carbon Policy Package.’ This initiative, unveiled to the European Commission and industry leaders on April 16, 2024, marks the first-ever concerted effort by European policymakers to advocate for the defossilization of the chemical industry.

At the heart of the proposal lies the urgent need to transition from fossil-based to sustainable carbon feedstocks, echoing long-standing calls from industry associations for a level playing field in energy and fuel sectors. With over 90 per cent of the European chemical industry currently reliant on fossil feedstocks, the proposal underscores the imperative to embrace sustainable alternatives like recycled materials, biomass, and carbon dioxide.

Heijnen emphasized the necessity of an overarching EU policy framework to drive this transition, focusing on market creation, sustainable carbon availability, and enhancing industry competitiveness. Key stakeholders, including Katja Wodjereck from Neste and Marco Mensink of Cefic, voiced strong support for the initiative, advocating for incentivizing the use of sustainable carbon sources and aligning policies with circular economy principles.

The proposal signals a pivotal moment in European environmental policy, offering a clear pathway towards a competitive, climate-neutral chemical industry. As more member states rally behind this initiative, it presents a significant opportunity to reduce Europe's reliance on external resources while advancing sustainability and achieving net-zero targets.