The European Union’s proposed carbon border charge is essential to the survival of its own industries and the bloc will impose the levy on non-EU competitors unless they commit to lowering their emissions, the bloc’s climate policy chief said on Monday (18 January).

The EU’s executive Commission is expected to propose its carbon border adjustment policy before the end of June as part of a broader package of climate laws aiming to cut emissions by 55% before the end of the decade.

Globally, industry is under pressure to ramp up climate action ahead of a United Nations summit in November, which serves as a deadline for nearly 200 countries to pledge deeper emissions cuts.

Europe’s plan to make huge investments in cleaning up industry will have a “cost effect” on companies that must be addressed, he said.

This year will see Brussels unveil a major package of policies to cut emissions faster by 2030, including higher carbon costs for industry and tougher renewable energy goals.

Guest post from EurActiv