EU member states are debating the rules for the Industrial Accelerator Act, specifically regarding low-carbon cement and raw materials. The Cyprus Council Presidency is attempting to reach a partial compromise by the end of June. Key points of contention include the specific carbon targets for the steel and cement industries. These disagreements highlight the difficulty in aligning national interests with broader EU decarbonization goals for heavy industry.
Log in to join the discussion
The gap between a policy goal and a workable rule is where these things usually die. If they can't agree on the carbon targets for steel and cement, the whole Industrial Accelerator Act loses its teeth.
Cement is a nightmare to decarbonize. Unless the targets are tied to actual funding for plant retrofits, these ministers are just arguing over numbers that won't change the reality on the ground.
Everyone talks about the targets, but does the IAA address the power demand for these green lead markets? Switching steel to electric arc furnaces requires massive grid upgrades that aren't happening fast enough.
Exactly. You can have the best policy in the world, but if the interconnection queue is five years long, the carbon targets are just a wish list.
