Companies support the goals of the "Green Deal" but criticize its implementation

IHK Ostbrandenburg presents German-Polish study on acceptance and implementation of the climate transition in the regional economy.

A majority of around 56% of entrepreneurs surveyed in Germany and Poland are in favor of the fundamental goal of the EU Green Deal – a climate-neutral economy. At the same time, around 80 percent fear a further increase in bureaucratic burdens. These are the results of the latest POLSMA study, in which the IHK Ostbrandenburg is involved as lead partner.
 

"Well-intentioned, but badly done – this is how the view of small and medium-sized enterprises in the German-Polish border region on the Green Deal can be summarized", explains Dr. Knuth Thiel, Head of Economic Policy at the IHK Ostbrandenburg. "Our study shows that many entrepreneurs recognize the need for transformation and sustainability, but need practical framework conditions for this."

For the cross-border study "Green Deal Compass Pomerania", over 700 small and medium-sized enterprises in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and western Poland were surveyed as part of the Interreg project POLSMA.

The survey also revealed that although Polish companies suffer from similar problems such as high energy prices, bureaucracy and a shortage of skilled workers, they see the climate targets more as an opportunity to achieve new goals with the support of the EU, while on the German side they tend to see them as being overburdened by requirements. 
This is linked to the fact that only around a third of companies on the German side are familiar with the regulations of the Green Deal, while on the Polish side this figure is two thirds.

The bottom line is that the majority of companies surveyed on both sides fear a deterioration in their position in international competition, although around 35 percent see opportunities to improve their competitive position.
 

"When asked whether the governments in Germany and Poland are implementing the Green Deal with the right means, only just under 30 percent agreed. This shows where the construction sites are in order to successfully convert the economy to sustainability", says Dr. Knuth Thiel. "Politicians need to communicate the Green Deal better and implement it more effectively. In order for our companies to emerge from the climate transition competitive and resilient, we need, among other things, a reduction in bureaucracy, better support and cross-border cooperation."

The companies see the positive aspects of the energy transition primarily in increasing opportunities for innovation, in new business areas and in the switch to renewable energy sources. This is precisely where the companies are also active.

The study revealed that many measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions are either already being implemented or are being planned – particularly in the areas of electricity, heat and waste. Specifically, this includes things such as the use of electric vehicles, resource-saving water treatment, the use of renewable energies or the purchase of electricity storage systems.

Background

The "Green Deal Compass Pomerania" study is part of the Interreg project "POLSMA (Pomerania lives sustainable management", supported by

• the IHK Ostbrandenburg as lead partner
• the IHK Projektgesellschaft Ostbrandenburg
• the IHK Neubrandenburg for eastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• the West Pomeranian Technical University of Szczecin
• the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers in Szczecin
• the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin.

POLSMA is a network that connects business, science and practice on both sides of the Oder.

The IHK Ostbrandenburg is the largest representative of business interests between Schwedt and Eisenhüttenstadt, between Berlin and the Oder.