EBF JOINT LETTER

Joint letter on the future EU Industrial Decarbonisation Bank

Brussels, 18 June 2026 – The European Banking Federation, together with 17 other organisations, has signed a joint letter outlining key recommendations for the future of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank.

As public funding alone will not be sufficient to meet the significant investment needs of the energy transition, it is crucial to establish appropriate instruments to unlock private finance and support the overall business case and bankability of industrial decarbonisation projects.

Our key recommendations:

• Focus on energy-intensive industries and commercial risks, targeting projects that are mature and close to a final investment decision.
• Ensure fair competition across different decarbonisation pathways through technology-neutral funding mechanisms that reflect different sector needs.
• Complement and coordinate with existing EU and national funding instruments to maximise impact and mobilise additional investment.
• Offer a mix of de-risking instruments, including contracts for difference and fixed premiums, to address different investment risks.
• Build on the experience of the Innovation Fund and the European Hydrogen Bank, encouraging mechanisms such as Auction-as-a-Service and Grant-as-a-Service.

For more information:

Denisa Avermaete, Head of Sustainable Finance Team,d.avermaete@ebf.eu

Jānis Priekulis, Senior Policy Adviser – Sustainable Finance, j.priekulis@ebf.eu

About the EBF:

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The federation is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere.