"A business perspective: Strong environmental standards foster long-term competitiveness," 6 November 2024

We, the undersigned companies, stand firmly behind the European Green Deal and its continuation...

EU-wide laws provide immense added value for businesses, by offering a unified framework across the 27 Member States. Over the last five years, the Green Deal has delivered meaningful progress... Examples of that are seen in the EU’s efforts to tackle deforestation through the EU Deforestation Regulation, as well as to protect and restore nature via the Birds and Habitats Directives and Nature Restoration Law. Additionally, new laws on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence promote greater climate ambition and transparency on environmental action, and create a level playing field by also applying to foreign companies active in the EU. Implementing these laws requires time, resources and effort by businesses, as well as trust that investments undertaken to get ready for the application of these laws are not in vain.

Deregulation, whether through lowering environmental or social standards, reneging on international commitments, or reducing the EU’s climate ambition, threatens the stable and predictable legal framework that we depend on.

We urge the European Commission to support businesses in successfully implementing existing and upcoming environmental standards – by prioritising smart implementation:

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• Consistently implementing and enforcing legislation across the EU to ensure a level playing field, while rewarding frontrunners. This includes fostering better cooperation and coordination between EU Member States.

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• Avoiding blanket exemptions of sectors or company sizes which can create unfair competition, harm consumer trust and further complicate supply chains. Given the proportionality principle, EU legislation often already provides longer timeframes and lighter processes for SMEs.
• Addressing the rise and impact of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, through nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and ambitious climate action, in order to minimise the increasing damage caused to EU businesses.

We call on the European Union to stay committed to protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity, and combating climate change, to foster a transparent business environment and a level playing field for businesses in the EU.

This statement was facilitated by WWF EU.