EU's green industrial plans risk creating costly investment bubbles, study warns
A new analysis of European green policies reveals that state-led initiatives often trigger speculative booms rather than sustainable industries. The findings suggest policymakers must shift toward evidence-based strategies to avoid wasting billions on technologies locked into political agendas instead of market realities.
Originaltitel: A Green Entrepreneurial State? Exploring the Pitfalls of Green Deals
<p>This open access book offers a critical examination of large-scale, state-led green industrial policies, with a particular focus on the European Union. Drawing on empirical evidence from sectors such as ethanol, hydrogen, wind power, and biogas, it reveals how well-intentioned “Green Deals” often result in speculative investment bubbles—termed “green bubbles”—rather than sustainable industrial transformation. Contributors analyze the systemic risks of mission-oriented policies that prioritize political goals over technological neutrality and economic viability. The volume highlights the consequences of overinvestment, technological lock-in, and politicized capitalism, while proposing more evidence-based, innovation-driven alternatives. It is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and improve the design of green industrial strategies.</p>