Brussels, 28 May 2025 – GD4S hosted a high-level breakfast roundtable, bringing together representatives from EU Member States’ Permanent Representations, energy-intensive industries, and gas distribution system operators to discuss the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal. Held under Chatham House Rule, the event provided a timely forum for strategic dialogue on how to align ambitious climate targets with the practical realities of industrial transition.
Representatives from sectors such as chemicals, ceramics, glass, and food shared their decarbonisation strategies, including concrete examples of current projects and the persistent challenges they face. Participants emphasised that sector-specific needs – such as high thermal energy demand and stable supply – require a broader set of solutions, stressing that electrification alone will not suffice to meet decarbonisation targets, especially in hard-to-abate sectors. There was strong alignment around the view that renewable gases must be recognised as a core pillar of the energy transition.
With perspectives from countries including the Czech Republic, Spain, France, Romania, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, and Poland, the discussion reinforced the understanding thatthere is no one-size-fits-all solution. National contexts vary, and Europe’s decarbonisation strategy must take these local realities into account.
The presence of delegates from the Permanent Representations of these Member States underlined the political relevance of the discussion. National representatives expressed readiness to listen first-hand to the needs and challenges identified by industries across the EU, which are committed to decarbonising their processes but often find that current policy, legislation and supporting mechanisms fall short in addressing their realities.
Members of GD4S, representing over 45% of the EU gas market and serve more than 54 million customers across the EU and the United Kingdom, urged for a balanced and integrated energy system approach. The existing gas networks are ready and can enable the deployment of renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, while hybrid systems can add the flexibility and resilience needed during the transition.
There was clear consensus throughout the discussion: achieving the EU’s ambitious decarbonisation goals will require the full engagement of industry. Participants stressed that renewable gases remain an underutilised and undervalued solution – particularly for hard-to-electrify sectors – that still lack the policy visibility and support needed to scale. A flexible, technology-neutral framework will be critical to unlocking their full potential.
Among the priority measures identified were blending mandates, improved coordination between electricity and gas infrastructure, and targeted incentives to scale up green molecules. These instruments were viewed as essential to moving from high-level ambition to actionable, industry-ready outcomes.
The roundtable concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration between industry, infrastructure operators, and policymakers. Participants reaffirmed the need for institutional support and integrated strategies to ensure that Europe’s industrial decarbonisation remains competitive, secure, and achievable.