100% renewables future

We are facing converging crises: climate, biodiversity, energy security. A 100% renewables-based energy system is key to addressing these crises jointly to pave the way for a sustainable future.

The EEB is committed to ensuring that the right policies and measures are put in place in the EU to ensure that the growth of renewable energy in all sectors is achieved quickly and in harmony with the needs of nature and local communities.

According to our estimates in the Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) scenario, the EU can reach climate neutrality by 2040 – ten years ahead than currently planned by EU countries – by transitioning rapidly towards a 100% renewables-based energy system and by reducing energy consumption drastically.

The development of renewable energy sources and electricity grids must not be at the expense of preserving and restoring biodiversity and our ecosystems. This requires optimal use of digital mapping tools to assess environmental sensitivities and locate renewables in ways that minimise negative ecological impacts. Strategic spatial planning must follow suit, prioritising the designation of Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs) in regions of low ecological value, while project permitting procedures must include clear criteria for environmental assessment and mitigation measures in all suitable areas.

Putting energy back into the hands of people is crucial. Community-owned renewable energy projects can boost local economies by creating jobs, reducing energy bills, and redistributing the direct economic benefits of projects within the community, improving local acceptance and reducing the risk of legal disputes delaying new renewable projects.

Integrating and combining different renewable energy resources at the system level is key to realising their full generation potential and reducing the need for expensive or polluting balancing options. In particular, expanding and upgrading electricity infrastructure, both within and between countries, is key to efficiently and cost-effectively accommodating the increasing output of solar and wind. At the same time, it is important to rapidly enable or improve demand-side response in both the residential and industrial sectors. This will unlock the full potential of distributed generation while minimising the grid upgrades required, thereby reducing material requirements.

100% renewables future

We are facing converging crises: climate, biodiversity, energy security. A 100% renewables-based energy system is key to addressing these crises jointly to pave the way for a sustainable future.

Library for Renewable Energy

Position paper: How could European forests best benefit from the EU Forest Monitoring Law?

Open letter on separate targets in 2040 climate framework

An assessment of nine updated draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)

Joint letter to VDL: Urgent questions on ‘Strategic Dialogue’ and Commission’s commitment to Farm to Fork

Joint letter expressing serious concerns regarding the lacking ambition level and inadequate quality of the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Whole Life Carbon policies are needed now

Promoting carbon farming through the CAP

NGO letter to Commission on Forest Monitoring Law

ANNEX to the EEB Response to the Public Consultation on EU Climate Targets for 2040

Public consultation on the EU climate target for 2040

NGO Letter on the functioning of the Expert Group on Carbon Removals and its meetings

Joint letter to EU negotiators to keep the RED for renewables

NGOs support the ENVI Committee Report of the F-Gas Regulation

Analysis of the European Commission’s legislative proposal for the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF)

Open letter: protecting consumers against unfair commercial practices and greenwashing

Joint letter on the need for a strong framework on sustainable food systems

Analysis of EP draft report on Nature Restoration

NGO letter on inclusion of waste incineration in the EU-ETS

EEB input to the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting, 21 November 2022

IED & Livestock emissions: Joint CSO statement

EEB Letter: Input to the EU Environment Council Meeting, Luxembourg, 24 October 2022

Joint letter to the Commission on the Sustainable Food Systems law

Certification of Carbon Removals: EEB Policy Recommendations

EU must save energy by shutting down factory farming, say NGOs

Call to action to ensure the transition to a net zero and nature positive economy

Proposal for a Regulation on Nature Restoration – NGO analysis

EEB comments on the Public Consultation on the framework initiative for Sustainable Food Systems

Letter: Input to the EU Environment Council Meeting, Luxembourg, 28 June 2022

EU Pollinators Initiative Revision

EEB contribution on the German state aid for lignite phase-out

The European Commission must act on pollution and not delay the legislation on the sustainable use of pesticides

The top ten problems for renewable energy in Europe are not linked with nature protection

EEB submission to the European Commission public consultation on the certification of carbon removals

Do No Significant Harm to Circular Economy in the Climate Taxonomy

Letter to the European Parliament on the review of the ETS Directive

Joint open letter to European Commission on green claims

NGO statement: the ESR legislative revision must strengthen rules on national climate action and planning

NGO letter on the inclusion of waste incineration in the EU emissions trading system

Summary of ‘The Final Sprint for Europe’s Rivers’ report

The Final Sprint for Europe’s Rivers

Joint NGO Letter on the EU’s New Forest Strategy for 2030

Summary of EEB’s view on carbon farming

Summary of EEB’s five policy recommendations on carbon farming

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke – Emissions from domestic heating with wood

EEB’s main asks for the Fit for 55 Package: A Package fit for the planet and fair to society

Civil Society Organisations’ Statement against the Energy Charter Treaty

Revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EEB feedback to Public Consultation

EEB contribution on the case of German state aid to LEAG and RWE

EU leaders set to greenwash EU farm policy – media briefing

Hydrogen: The reality behind the hype – EEB Position Paper

Summary: Towards a wellbeing economy that serves people and nature

Towards a wellbeing economy that serves people and nature

Pan-European survey – Climate top priority for youth

EEB contribution to State Aid SA.59974 (2021/C) Romania Restructuring of “Complexul Energetic Oltenia SA”

Keep the Renewable Energy Directive for renewables – NGO letter

Brand Audit: Climate leaders and laggards of the European heating sector

Circular economy measures for the building sector in the 2020s

First assessment of the EU’s 2021 Adaptation Strategy – EEB

Building Forward Better – Action is Urgently Needed

Agriculture in the revision of the ESR and LULUCF regulation – additional information to the EEB’s response to the public consultations

Mind The Gap report

Revision of the Effort Sharing Regulation – EEB response to public consultation

Inception Impact Assessment of the revision of the EU’s Emissions Trading System – EEB comments

Towards a Carbon Border Adjustment in Europe – EEB response to public consultation

EEB’s Mid-term assessment of the German presidency of the European Union

EU 2030 Climate Target – Statement from the Coalition for Higher Ambition

EU 2030 climate target – NGO views on European Commission’s proposal

Letter to the European Parliament: the Just Transition has to be fossil fuel-free

Annex to the letter to the European Commission on German State aid for coal phase out

Letter to the European Commission on German State aid for coal phase out

Recommendations to ENVI Committee on Climate Law vote

Letter to ENVI MEPs on a European Climate Law

Response to public consultation on EU Climate Adaptation Strategy

Europe and Poland must stop Turów and bring water and climate justice – Joint statement

Stop funding new gas boilers – NGO and industry letter

The Just Transition must be fossil fuel-free – letter to the European Parliament’s REGI Committee

Building a Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) energy scenario