We’ve got a Deal: Penta data shows the European Commission has won the PR battle with the Clean Industrial Deal
The European Commission has successfully shifted the framing of EU climate policy according to data from Penta’s proprietary global monitoring platform. There is now positive online sentiment regarding the Clean Industrial Deal when contrasted with the EU Green Deal.
The EU Green Deal was launched as a transformative vision for Europe’s future, aimed at uniting climate, economic, and industrial objectives under a bold strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the economic fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and the rise in energy prices have strained households and industries. At the same time, Europe’s industrial competitiveness has come under pressure from global rivals like the United States and China. These economic and geopolitical forces brought into question the feasibility of implementing the EU Green Deal as originally drafted in a highly competitive global landscape.
In response, the European Commission is developing a Clean Industrial Deal, due for publication on 26 February. Public sentiment has also played a major role in the EU’s volte-face on the Green Deal, as noted by Commission officials and MEPs at a recent Politico event1. Penta public sentiment data suggests that the Clean Industrial Deal has successfully shifted the framing of EU climate policy in the public discussion.2
Our data shows a stark contrast: while the Green Deal faced consistent criticism and resistance, the Clean Industrial Deal has steadily gained positive momentum. In fact, sentiment from online discussions on the EU Green Deal has been consistently negative for over a year, highlighting the significant perception issues associated with the legislative package. This negative association manifested in the eruption of protests across Member States and in Brussels, with farmers3, workers and other corporates4 arguing that the Green Deal failed to account for the socioeconomic realities of those most vulnerable to sweeping policy changes.
1) Source: Green Deal showed Brussels must focus more on public buy-in, Commission official says, Politico Pro, Dec 3, 2024
2) Penta’s proprietary, global monitoring platform ‘Penta Live’ analysis +25 million pieces of publicly available data per day, in over 100 countries and 100 languages. The platform covers all EU 27 Member States, providing unique insights into stakeholder sentiment on the Green Deal.
4) https://www.politico.eu/article/bears-cars-angry-farmers-fuel-green-deal-backlash-eu-agenda-european-commission-ursula-von-der-leyen/
In response to public and corporate outcry regarding the EU Green Deal, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked former Italian Prime Minister and President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi with assessing the EU’s competitiveness. The Clean Industrial Deal presents a recalibrated strategy designed to prioritise industrial innovation and competitiveness, aligning Europe’s climate objectives with the need to sustain its industrial leadership. The initiative seeks to create an environment where innovation can thrive while addressing stakeholder concerns. Penta’s sentiment data confirms that these measures are resonating, with positive momentum steadily building throughout 2024.
The growing positive sentiment reflects the Commission’s efforts to address the concerns raised by stakeholders. Penta’s data further highlights the increasing volume of discourse regarding the Clean Industrial Deal, surpassing the levels of interest in the EU Green Deal over the past 12 months.
The Commission has also successfully shifted the narrative away from the EU Green Deal, with conversations on the Clean Industrial Deal replacing that of the Green Deal. The Commission made a conscious shift in its climate agenda, responding to economic and political pressures. Instead of focusing purely on regulation, it positioned the Clean Industrial Deal as a more balanced approach that puts competitiveness and industry at the forefront. This shift involved acknowledging public and corporate concerns about the Green Deal, bringing in Draghi to assess EU competitiveness, and steering the conversation towards industrial innovation.
However, questions remain as to whether the contents of the Clean Industrial Deal will live up to its promise, or whether once published, the proposals outlined in the document, or omissions from it, will lead to renewed criticisms of the European Commission’s work. Furthermore, questions remain regarding how far the Clean Industrial Deal will accommodate the concerns of those who championed the Green Deal’s more ambitious regulatory approach.
Stakeholder confidence hinges on the Commission’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes quickly. Any delays or perceived gaps in delivery could erode the trust that the Commission has worked to rebuild, while continued opposition from environmental groups may test the credibility of the Clean Industrial Deal.
Penta’s data indicates that the Clean Industrial Deal is well-positioned to sustain its momentum, provided the Commission continues to prioritise stakeholder engagement and demonstrates consistent progress on its promises.
