Ahead of the October Environment and Energy Council meetings, the Coalition for Higher Ambition (HAC) is calling on EU Member States to support a robust and ambitious EU post-2030 climate and energy framework.

The coalition brings together European businesses, leading local and regional government networks, and civil society organisations calling for a framework that keeps Europe on track towards climate neutrality while strengthening competitiveness, resilience and energy security.

The statement sets out five key priorities:

1. A framework aligned with and able to deliver at least 90% net domestic emission reductions by 2040, compared with 1990 levels.
   
2. An EU ETS that delivers real and predictable emissions reductions, with an ambitious cap trajectory that preserves a strong and predictable carbon price signal.
   
3. Continued binding national climate targets, with absolute priority given to gross emission reductions, alongside strengthened efforts to enhance net carbon dioxide sequestration in the LULUCF sector and permanent industrial carbon dioxide removals. These three elements to be reflected in separate and distinct climate targets and trajectories.
   
4. An ambitious, binding and enforceable post-2030 energy framework, including binding EU renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, stronger renewables-based electrification, and clear national contributions and sectoral trajectories to phase out fossil fuels.
   
5. Limit the use of international carbon credits towards the EU’s 2024 framework, avoiding a weakening of domestic emissions reductions and EU ETS ambition, and protecting the environmental integrity of EU climate action.

The statement also calls for a bold 2028–34 Multiannual Financial Framework that steps up and channels EU public and private finance to address the investment gap in Europe’s decarbonisation and resilience.

Read the full statement below:

• Supporting a robust and ambitious EU post-2030 climate and energy framework (pdf)