A European transition strategy is needed to help phase out traditional combustion engines, said the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) when it adopted an opinion on the subject on Wednesday 11 October, prepared by Sven Schulze (EPP, German).
This strategy should focus on the development of new green and digital technologies, the retraining of the workforce and support for the regions most affected, in particular through a proper assessment of the territorial impact of the digital and green transitions of this strategic industry.
In adopting this opinion, local and regional leaders are calling for funds to be allocated for the just transition of car-producing regions when the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is revised.
The CoR proposes that a possible successor to the Just Transition Fund (JTF) be incorporated into the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR).
The CoR opinion supports the transition to a climate-neutral automotive industry (the EU is proposing to phase out the sale of new combustion engine cars and vans by 2035), while pointing out the significant impact on regional automotive ecosystems and on workers in the automotive sector.
The automotive industry accounts for over 7% of the EU’s GDP and currently employs - directly or indirectly - over 14 million Europeans, equivalent to 6.1% of total employment in the EU. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)