Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: Cosmetics Europe appears to have limited public engagement with climate policy in the EU in 2022-24. The association seems to support circular economy policies, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, with major exceptions.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Cosmetics Europe engaged broadly positively in its top-line messaging on climate policy in 2022-24, with some exceptions. The association supported GHG emissions reductions in line with 1.5°C in a news release, published in December 2022. On its corporate website, accessed in October 2023, Cosmetics Europe appeared to support the EU Green Deal. However, Cosmetics Europe CEO John Chave signed the Antwerp Declaration in February 2024, which entails revising existing legislation under the EU Green Deal and avoiding implementing detailed regulation. The association appeared to support the UNFCCC process in a news release from December 2022.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Cosmetics Europe had limited engagement with climate-related regulations in 2022-24, primarily engaging with circular economy policies. Cosmetics Europe supported the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation with major exceptions. In an April 2023 feedback to EU policymakers, the association seemed to support harmonization of rules that would prevent Member States in setting more ambitious measures at national level, and advocated to weaken provisions on recycled content targets. In its 2023 Activity Report, published in June 2024, Cosmetics Europe stated it engaged on the sustainability provisions of the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, without taking a clear position.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Cosmetics Europe had limited engagement on the energy transition, taking ambiguous positions. The association signed the Antwerp Declaration in February 2024, which stated broad support for Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) as well as low-carbon, nuclear and renewable energy, but without taking an overall position on the transition of the energy mix. The Declaration also advocated for additional funding to support the development of “clean technologies” without clarifying what this includes.