The Climate Action Network (CAN), a global network of NGOs, has urged the European Union not to roll back Europe’s green agenda as a measure to rescue its shrinking economy. CAN published a letter on February 6th, acknowledging the pressures European industry faces and arguing that these challenges are not caused by environmental regulations, which should remain in place. As the letter states, “deregulation is not an industrial strategy.”
This statement comes after a year of proposals by the European Commission, including ten “omnibus” measures aimed at loosening environmental regulations across sectors such as farming and the automotive industry. A notable example occurred in December 2025, when European authorities moved to ease the ban on sales of cars with combustion engines by 2035, following pressure from industry.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously emphasized the EU’s focus on improving industrial competitiveness over the next five years. However, CAN campaigners warn that pursuing deregulation as a strategy will undermine the effectiveness of future industrial policy.
As EU leaders meet this week in Belgium at the invitation of European Council President António Costa to discuss strengthening the single market, the warnings of environmental organizations are crucial and could determine Europe’s long-term sustainability and economic resilience.
Sources:
The Guardian, CAN Europe, Corporate Europe Observatory, Business and Human Rights Centre, Euronews
