In February, the European Union announced the launch of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, a roadmap to boost zero-emission industry in member countries by supporting the EU's green transition.
This is a clear response to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Chips and Science Act, both approved by the U.S. Government in August 2022, and represents a great opportunity to increase the competitiveness of the Member States and a clear commitment to innovation based on sustainability.
The main objectives of the Plan include simplifying, accelerating and aligning public incentives and aid for industrial investment in clean technologies. The proposed modification of the state aid framework is a great novelty and represents an opportunity for the Member States, but it also requires maximum coordination and alignment between the policies of the countries and those of the EU.
As regards Spain, the Green Deal Industrial Plan will have a significant impact on industrial and innovation policies, especially due to the proposed modification of the state aid framework.
In this regard, innovation policies have to adapt to the new times, becoming more closely linked to industrial policies. Innovation policy cannot be a substitute for industrial policy; they must be coordinated and form part of the same strategy, with common strategic objectives, and with coordinated and aligned instruments and programs. All this will allow an amplification of the impact on our industries, companies and markets, a much greater multiplier effect than if they are done separately and without defined strategic links.
In this new framework, the Autonomous Communities will play a key role, which is why they need to be trained and provided with greater resources to take advantage of all the potential offered by the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
Our country faces an enormous challenge that requires maximum coordination, agility and efficiency in public management in order to take advantage of its full potential in favor of our industry.