Europaforum Northern Sweden (EFNS) is a network for politicians at the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
local and regional levels from Norrbotten, V\u00e4sterbotten, J\u00e4mtland H\u00e4rjedalen and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
V\u00e4sternorrland. EFNS is a meeting place and knowledge arena where EU policies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
are analysed and discussed in respects where it affects northern Sweden. EFNS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
monitors European issues to influence EU legislation, EU strategies and action<\/p>\n\n\n\n
programmes, and the EU budget. The purpose of EFNS is to safeguard the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
interests of northern Sweden both in the European arena and in relation to national<\/p>\n\n\n\n
level issues with a clear European perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Forum of Northern Sweden (EFNS) welcomes the ambition behind the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission’s proposal for the regulation net-zero industry act (NZIA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
but has some comments on certain aspects of the proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EFNS would like to present its perspectives on the proposal for the regulation on the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Net-zero Industry Act (NZIA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary of EFNS positions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 The European Commission should focus on reducing climate impact rather than<\/p>\n\n\n\n steering towards specific technologies. Technology neutrality is essential to promote<\/p>\n\n\n\n innovative development. The regulation’s limited list of net-zero technologies risks<\/p>\n\n\n\n excluding other technologies that are or may become vital for the green transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Fast-tracking strategic projects may hold a risk, as it may hinder processes for other<\/p>\n\n\n\n types of business establishments that are also important for the green transition as<\/p>\n\n\n\n well as local and regional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Developing faster and transparent permit processes for more efficient business<\/p>\n\n\n\n establishments is crucial, but they should allow member states, regions, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n municipalities to develop faster processes according to their own conditions and<\/p>\n\n\n\n resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 The proposal involves detailed regulations that pose a risk of surpassing national<\/p>\n\n\n\n self-determination and encroaching on the self-governance of Swedish<\/p>\n\n\n\n municipalities. It is important to protect the decision-making rights of the member<\/p>\n\n\n\n states, municipalities, and the regions. Local and regional engagement is necessary<\/p>\n\n\n\n to enhance societal acceptance in industrial establishment. NZIA should have a<\/p>\n\n\n\n territorial dimension that engages municipalities and regions, while considering<\/p>\n\n\n\n democratic anchoring and the Swedish municipal planning monopoly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Permit Processes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EFNS welcomes the ambition to shortening the timeline for permit processes but holds that<\/p>\n\n\n\n how national permit processes should be set up is an issue that should be managed at the<\/p>\n\n\n\n national level. The focus should be on encouraging each member state to make general<\/p>\n\n\n\n adjustments to their processes, promoting predictability, transparency, and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The permit processes for large industrial establishments can be complex and time consuming,<\/p>\n\n\n\n posing obstacles to their implementation. Therefore, it is encouraging that<\/p>\n\n\n\n efforts to strengthen EU value chains and enhance innovation capacity are addressing the<\/p>\n\n\n\n challenges associated with permit procedures for business establishments. The industry<\/p>\n\n\n\n plays a pivotal role in regional development, generating employment, tax revenues, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n overall attractiveness. Streamlining and expediting permit processes for such<\/p>\n\n\n\n establishments are of utmost importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, the proposed regulations risk going beyond national self-determination and<\/p>\n\n\n\n infringing upon the autonomy of Swedish municipalities. Safeguarding the decision-making<\/p>\n\n\n\n authority of member states and local authorities is crucial to ensure social acceptance of<\/p>\n\n\n\n industrial establishments. Rather than imposing detailed regulations, the EU should<\/p>\n\n\n\n provide platforms and networks for member states to exchange experiences and<\/p>\n\n\n\n knowledge. Moreover, considering economic and geopolitical interests, it is vital for the EU<\/p>\n\n\n\n to utilize its coordinating role in mapping and clarifying Europe’s reliance on foreign<\/p>\n\n\n\n ownership within net-zero technologies. These insights can help member states to strike a<\/p>\n\n\n\n balance between strategic autonomy and trade with third countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EFNS identifies potential risks in fast-tracking strategic projects, as it could impede the<\/p>\n\n\n\n processes for other types of business establishments that are also pivotal for the green<\/p>\n\n\n\n transition and local\/regional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology Neutrality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To promote new developments, technology neutrality is essential. Enforcing legislation that<\/p>\n\n\n\n dictates which technologies or materials should be promoted, risks disadvantaging crucial<\/p>\n\n\n\n areas that can address climate challenges, potentially hindering new discoveries or<\/p>\n\n\n\n innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deviation from technology neutrality significantly limits the capacity for transition if<\/p>\n\n\n\n prevailing circumstances change. This can impede processes for other types of business<\/p>\n\n\n\n establishments, not just net-zero technologies, which are also important for the green<\/p>\n\n\n\n transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The regulation’s limited listing of net-zero technologies risks excluding technologies that<\/p>\n\n\n\n are or may become vital for the green transition. For example, there is room for increased<\/p>\n\n\n\n production and utilization of biomass-based technologies, which should continue to be part<\/p>\n\n\n\n of the solution for a fossil-free Europe and reduced carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EFNS holds that the European Commission should set requirements for reduced climate<\/p>\n\n\n\n impact \u2013 not steer towards specific technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local Anchoring for Industrial Establishments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Local and regional levels play a crucial role in achieving the goals of a climate-neutral<\/p>\n\n\n\n Europe. They can define local conditions, challenges, and opportunities necessary to attract<\/p>\n\n\n\n investments and increase the production of green technology throughout the value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, EFNS emphasizes the need for NZIA to have a territorial dimension that involves<\/p>\n\n\n\n municipalities and regions and considers the planning monopolies of Swedish<\/p>\n\n\n\n municipalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposal regarding faster permit processes and greater national coordination through a<\/p>\n\n\n\n one-stop-shop for establishments risks reducing democratic anchoring at the local and<\/p>\n\n\n\n regional levels, which could contribute to increased polarisation. The NSPA emphasizes the<\/p>\n\n\n\n importance of involving the local community. The local community, indigenous peoples, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n valuable natural assets are aspects that must be respected and involved early in the<\/p>\n\n\n\n process. Fair and democratic establishment processes are crucial for achieving social<\/p>\n\n\n\n acceptance and require engagement from citizens, civil society, as well as local and<\/p>\n\n\n\n regional authorities. Moreover, there is a wealth of knowledge about local and regional<\/p>\n\n\n\n conditions accumulated within government agencies, organizations, and universities, which<\/p>\n\n\n\n should be fully utilized in the processing of permit applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A special consideration of each region’s context and objectives is the key to sustainable<\/p>\n\n\n\n development in all parts of the EU. Smart specialization and diversification are important<\/p>\n\n\n\n components in sparsely populated areas for increased competitiveness. It enables regions<\/p>\n\n\n\n to leverage relevant capacities and work efficiently, allowing research and entrepreneurship<\/p>\n\n\n\n to lead the way in the development of new ideas and products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industrial establishments play a vital role in the economy of affected regions but also<\/p>\n\n\n\n impose requirements on the areas in which they operate. For sustainable growth in the<\/p>\n\n\n\n industry, investments in community development and skills supply are also needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n