Confindustria took part in the series of hearings launched by the Senate Environment Committee as part of its examination of Bill No. 1836, which is linked to the public finance package, and set out its comments and proposed amendments to the text in the parliamentary submission it tabled.

The measure addresses three strategic areas for the energy transition:

1. the development of the CCUS sector;
2. regulation of the hydrogen market;
3. the implementation of the European Regulation on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector (Regulation (EU) 2024/1787).

Confindustria has given a positive assessment of the general structure of the draft bill, in particular with regard to the recognition of the CCUS as a key driver for the decarbonisation of industry and the thermal power sector. At the same time, he highlighted the need to accompany the new regulatory framework with support measures for CO₂ capture, investment guarantee mechanisms, simplified authorisation procedures and criteria cost allocation methods that do not penalise the industrial sectors most exposed to international competition.

With regard to hydrogen, Confindustria agreed on the need for a clear and coordinated regulatory framework, whilst emphasising the need for a pragmatic and technologically neutral approach, capable of promoting all solutions that are useful for decarbonisation and sustainable for businesses.

Particular attention has been paid to the implementation of the Methane Regulation.

Confindustria supports the emissions reduction targets, but has emphasised the need for obligations and penalties to be applied in accordance with the principles of proportionality, gradual implementation and legal certainty. The risk is that a strict application of the sanctions regime could affect security of supply, the diversification of sources, domestic oil and gas production, and energy costs for businesses. The main concerns relate, in particular, to supplies from third countries, where European importers have no direct means of controlling the data, information and behaviour of non-EU manufacturers, and domestic production, where obligations that are disproportionate to the maturity of the assets, their remaining useful life and their potential emission levels must be avoided.

For these reasons, Confindustria has called for specific amendments to the penalty system, providing for an appropriate transitional arrangement, the completion of the European technical framework prior to the actual application of sanctions, and clear criteria for distinguishing between obligations that can be directly controlled by operators and those dependent on third parties. The text of the parliamentary submission presented by Confindustria is attached.

For further details on positioning, please refer to the attached document.