UEAPME

Climate change

Crafts and SMEs in Europe support the aim to fight Climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions may pay off in the long run by improved competitiveness through innovation and by lower costs for environmental damage. But Europe has to be aware that in the short run this creates additional costs and may harm competitiveness. Although some branches (such as the building sector) might profit from some aspects of climate change, most economic sectors will suffer due to a higher increase of natural disasters, higher prices of energy and water, likely reduction of raw materials and worsening of health conditions. This situation will be particularly negative for SMEs, which do not have the ability to finance investments and/or rebuilding measures directly.

The EU should have as target the globalisation of the fight against climate change. UEAPME sees the need that the industrialised world has to go ahead, but warns that Europe cannot “do it alone”.

UEAPME agrees with the establishment of a European Advisory Group for Adaptation to Climate Change and is willing to propose experts representing SMEs’ point of view in this debate.

Position Papers