Green Deal and its impact on large companies

One of the most frequently mentioned terms of our time is the infamous Green Deal, which, moreover, is taking on completely new dimensions against the background of the current Russo-Ukrainian war, the related energy crisis, and constant fuel price increases.

The Green Deal is a set of measures already agreed to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 (compared to 1990).

Will Europe become the first climate-neutral continent?

The agreement agreed at the end of 2019 includes eight segments covering biodiversity, sustainable food systems, agriculture, industry and mobility, clean energy, construction and renovation, and the elimination of climate pollution. So, in 28 years, Europe should become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. The plan includes a new strategy for industry, a strategy for sustainable food production, and roads without internal combustion engines. One thing is clear. The targets will impact a lot of industries across the economy. Construction, energy, transport, and food. But they will also affect ordinary citizens. For example, an expansion of the emission allowances scheme to households and other areas is envisaged. And they won’t be free.

Why should the Green Deal be adopted?

The answer is obvious. To relieve a planet that is not calling, but screaming out for help. The main problem lies in so-called greenhouse gases contributing to the greenhouse effect, which in turn is behind the infamous warming of the planet and the associated unwanted melting of glaciers and rising ocean levels. And a lot of other negative phenomena.

What is the Green Deal’s mission?

It’s a highly principled mission. It aims to get the natural world to a more or less acceptable state. The situation is really serious. Carbon dioxide concentrations are currently at their highest levels in 650,000 years. One way to reduce it is through energy savings and the use of renewable energy sources. This is because excessive consumption of fossil fuels, i.e. burning black coal, oil and natural gas, excessive deforestation, as well as intensive livestock farming and the use of nitrogen-containing fertilisers, leads to the creation of greenhouse gases.

How will the Green Deal affect companies in the Czech Republic?

Quite fundamentally. The Green Deal is a huge challenge for many companies. They will not be able to meet its challenge without considerable investment in new technologies and sustainable solutions. Exporters of goods and services from the Czech Republic must also expect greater administrative burdens. Moreover, many Czech companies are still in the dark and do not know what to expect from the agreement. Some entrepreneurs even call its goals unrealistic. The question is also how easy or, on the contrary, painful it will be to achieve these goals in the context of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The Green Deal, according to some of its critics, is essentially doomed. For them, the EU should currently be prioritising energy self-sufficiency.

How is KLAUS Timber preparing for the Green Deal?

KLAUS Timber is committed to meeting the relevant quality requirements for its products, including safety, health and, of course, environmental considerations. It fully respects and honours our relationship with the environment with regard to risks involved, and aims to continuously improve in this regard. An integral part of our approach is prevention and trying to look to the future as much as possible.

The company is constantly improving its environmental performance with the intention of reducing the impact of its activities on its surroundings. In terms of production and quality, it pays attention to the careful use of energy resources and the preservation of natural resources. It endeavours to minimise all negative effects of its activities on local communities and infrastructure, and to ensure the hygiene and health safety of technologies and products. It emphasises optimising the consumption of raw materials (when it makes maximum use of input materials and optimises their processing), meets requirements in the area of waste management, air law, and chemicals management, etc., and pays attention to safety and risk prevention.