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 works to ensure that Europe’s shift to renewables happens quickly and in harmony with nature and people. We advocate for EU policies that drive renewable growth across all sectors while protecting ecosystems, empowering communities and reducing overall energy demand.

Our Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) scenario shows that the EU can reach climate neutrality by 2040 — ten years earlier than currently planned — by cutting energy consumption and rapidly deploying renewables across electricity, heating, cooling and transport.

Europe has enough suitable land to achieve this sustainably, provided that deployment is guided by sound spatial planning. By using digital mapping tools and environmental sensitivity analyses, Member States can prioritise Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs) in low-ecological-value zones, while ensuring robust environmental safeguards and community participation in all projects.

Experience across Europe shows that renewables thrive when communities are in the driver’s seat. Community-owned projects and benefit-sharing models help keep revenues local, reduce energy bills, create jobs and build public trust. This people-centred approach strengthens acceptance and avoids the conflicts that often slow down the energy transition.

Finally, integrating renewable sources at the system level — alongside grid upgrades, storage solutions and smarter demand management — is essential to unlock their full potential. Doing so will reduce dependence on costly fossil fuels, cut material use and make Europe’s energy system cleaner, fairer and more resilient.