The initiative comes ahead of the European Commission’s upcoming release of its 2040 climate targets, scheduled for 2 July after months of delay. Against this backdrop, the call underscores the urgent need for a bold, coherent, and forward-looking framework for industrial, energy, and climate policy in the EU.

At the core of the call is a commitment to achieving a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This would be supported by robust targets for renewables and energy efficiency, as well as for system flexibility and energy storage capacity. Such an approach represents the most strategic and cost-effective response to Europe’s major challenges, notably the climate crisis, energy security, economic competitiveness, and affordability.

The joint statement also stresses how long-term policy is essential to unlock private investment, boosting investor confidence, and enabling coordinated action across Member States. A stable and ambitious 2040 framework would also help ensure consistency between national and EU strategies, crucial for an effective and just transition.

Beyond its broader economic impact, the proposed framework would help to deliver tangible benefits to citizens, particularly lower energy bills, more job opportunities, and greater economic stability, essential to secure public trust and support for the energy transition.

Finally, the initiative underlines that deeper commitments to energy efficiency and renewables is not only in line with the EU’s broader strategic vision, but vital for maintaining Europe’s global leadership in clean technologies.

Through this call, EERA and other leading organisations are urging EU policymakers to maintain momentum on climate action and to ensure that Europe’s climate, energy, and industrial policies remain ambitious and coordinated as we move towards 2040.