Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: DigitalEurope is actively engaged on climate change policy in the EU, taking positions which are partially aligned with science-aligned policy. The industry association supports science-aligned climate action in its top-line messaging, but takes mixed and unsupportive positions on specific EU energy efficiency and circular economy related policies.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: DigitalEurope supports ambitious action on climate change in most of its top-line messaging but takes an ambiguous stance on climate change regulation. In a July 2025 position paper, the industry association supported the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality goal and the EU Clean Industrial Deal, and in a July 2024 position paper, it emphasized the role of circular economy in achieving EU climate goals. However, in a November 2023 position paper, the association seemed to support a market-based approach to climate policy, supporting increased financial incentives while not supporting other forms of climate regulation, advocating against “prescriptive rules.” DigitalEurope appears to support the UN Climate Treaty, with DigitalEurope Director-General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl describing COP26 as “a landmark event to take action” in an October 2024 Euractiv article.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policies: DigitalEurope takes both negative and positive positions on climate-related policies, and was particularly engaged on energy efficiency policies and GHG emissions targets in 2023-2025. In a December 2023 X post, the industry association described the proposed EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive as "good news" without calling for an increased scope or for higher ambition. In a July 2025 position paper, it did not fully support the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, advocating against the "introduction of individual minimum performance standards" for data centres. However, DigitalEurope strongly supported the EU 2030 GHG emissions targets in a November 2023 position paper. The industry association also supported the EU 2040 GHG emissions reductions target in a February 2024 X post.
Positioning on Circular Economy Policy: DigitalEurope is highly engaged on EU circular economy policies, taking mostly mixed and unsupportive positions. The industry association supported some elements of the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products regulation and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste regulation in a July 2024 position paper, such as recycled content standards, but advocated for “proportionate” substance restrictions. In a November 2023 position paper, DigitalEurope stated that "the creative potential of companies is wasted" in national circular economy legislations’ “overly prescriptive rules” and promoted policymakers “designing goals instead of prescribing solutions,” although it appeared to broadly support the need for a Circular Economy Action Plan. In a July 2025 joint press release on the EU Circular Economy Act, DigitalEurope did not support "rigid mandatory recycled content targets" and advocated for "regulatory exemptions for manufacturers." In a December 2023 joint press release, DigitalEurope supported the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation with exceptions, supporting EU harmonization to advocate for weaker circular economy targets.
Positioning on Energy Transition: DigitalEurope is broadly supportive of the energy transition, advocating for increased electrification and transition toward renewable energy. In a November 2023 position paper, it advocated for the "phasing out of fossil fuels", and in May 2025 position paper, for "rapidly scaling up renewables." DigitalEurope supported the EU Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act in July 2025 feedback to the EU Commission, promoting the policy to scale up electrification and improve grid infrastructure. However, in a July 2025 position paper, the industry association supported maintaining equal taxation for gas and electricity in the EU Energy Taxation Directive reform.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q3 2025.