Mission

The EU Climate Policies Programme seeks to accelerate Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy. We aim to secure the right policy framework conditions in support of the sectoral programmes of the ECF and ensure ambitious climate objectives in Brussels and EU Member States.

What we do

Europe has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% to 95% by 2050. In close cooperation with the sectoral programmes, the EU Climate Policies Programme works with a wide range of partners – from NGOs, business, academia – to ensure that the EU is on track to reach this target through adequate intermediary targets and framework policies such as the EU Emissions Trading System.

We aim to reach this objective by:

• Raising the current greenhouse gas domestic emissions reductions target to at least 30% by 2020 and by strengthening the Emissions Trading System through a tighter cap, higher levels of auctioning and flanking policies;
• Encouraging Member States to adopt their own climate laws and proper enforcement mechanisms, making sure that leading countries in turn take a positive stance at EU level. This means in particular encouraging Germany to play a leading role in Europe and gaining the support of Central and Eastern European governments;
• Ensuring that adequate public and private investments flow towards clean energy, infrastructure and energy efficiency options, namely thanks to the mainstreaming of climate objectives into the future EU budget and the development of innovative public finance instruments;
• Mobilising progressive business support for enhanced EU climate action and countering resistance from industry;
• Helping new constituencies, such as youth groups, militaries and health professionals to voice their support for bolder climate action at EU level.