CAN Europe letter to EU leaders ahead of the European Council
Ahead of the 18-19 June European Council, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, on behalf of more than 200 member organisations, representing over 40 million citizens across Europe, would like to share with you our recommendations with regard to key topics under discussion.
Europe is once again paying a high price for its dependence on fossil fuels. More than one hundred days into the US-Israel-led war in Iran and the wider regional conflict have already added an estimated €62 billion to the EU’s energy bill. Millions of Europeans are facing renewed energy price pressures and mounting cost-of-living challenges. At the same time, the devastating human toll of the conflict underscores the urgent need for EU Member States to pursue united, constructive diplomacy in support of a just and lasting peace grounded in international law.
This crisis is another stark reminder that Europe cannot achieve lasting affordability, prosperity, energy security or strategic autonomy, whilst remaining structurally dependent on fossil fuel imports, regardless of their origin. As you gather to discuss Europe’s strategic priorities, including the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and competitiveness agenda, we urge you to deliver an EU budget that addresses the urgent need to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels across the Union and advances structural solutions to ensure lasting affordability and resilience against fossil fuel crises.