“The only ones who have really read and understood the European Green Deal are the Chinese. That is why they have deliberately started to actively attack the sectors relevant to the Green Deal. What started with photovoltaics and e-mobility has continued in the biofuels sector.”
What a year we have had. I always make a point of not starting speeches with this sentence, but it's too late for that now. But in return, I will spare us phrases such as “We have overcome the hurdles of the past year” or “We are drawing new strength to master the challenges that lie ahead”.
This time, I have decided not to fall into old patterns. I am therefore consciously looking to the future. And there is something else I would like to do. I want to look ahead with optimism and confidence. But every year, especially since I have held the office of EWABA President, I realize anew that the real hurdles still lie ahead of us. With all that we have achieved together, I still ask myself, have we really drawn the strength for the next year from it? Are we equipped for the tasks ahead?
At EU level, we have the elections to the European Parliament behind us and the new Commission is just about to take office. In many of our Member States, you can sense that society and the economy are characterized more by uncertainty and question marks rather than by clarity and growth. And let's be honest, it's easy to fall into pessimism. Complaining is often easier than getting back on track. Looking backwards often feels more comfortable than facing up to the challenges.
But! We didn't do that. We didn't bury our heads in the sand, and we didn't stop fighting for our interests. Even if sometimes we disagreed, the focus was always on what united us. Not just individual interests but the overall interests of the industry. And in doing so, I am firmly convinced that I have also acted in the interests of the European Union as a socio-political and economic union.
2024 began with an expert for technical matters joining the EWABA Secretariat and the establishment of a permanent technical working group. We were confronted with the revision of REDIII - Annex IX, FuelEU Regulations, further steps for the EU Database for biofuels. The EU is discussing the revision of the 2035 ban of internal combustion engines. Parallel to this, a specific custom code for HVO was created. The discussion on NUTS2 values casts its shadow ahead.
But what really hit us hard was the ‘China problem’. I have said this in many interviews, discussions and conversations: The only ones who have really read and understood the European Green Deal are the Chinese. That is why they have deliberately started to actively attack the sectors relevant to the Green Deal. What started with photovoltaics and e-mobility has continued in the biofuels sector. It is almost a Knight's accolade in terms of economic and, above all, climate policy when an industry takes anti-dumping action against China.
Who else could be part of the solution if not us? We collect and recycle waste materials. We produce renewable energy using the most efficient and advanced processes. We are the industry that makes the biggest contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.
But I was just talking about Knight's accolade. Our EWABA Secretariat has definitely earned it. Together with our industry allies, they fought for fair competition rules. And we have won. That, my dear friends, is what makes me look to the future with confidence. It is not the setbacks of the past, but the successes we have made of them.
I assure you that I will continue to work for our common interests. And I will do so with all my strength and necessary reason and composure. But even more, I ask all of you to continue to support the EWABA family with all your strength. Let's keep fighting for our industry together.
Ewald-Marco Münzer
President
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