European Civil Society Urges Immediate End to Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Open Letter to EU Leaders
A coalition of more than 30 major climate and social justice organisations under the United for Climate Justice (UCJ) banner is demanding in an open letter that EU leaders put an end to fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. In an urgent open letter addressed to the Presidents of the European Commission, Council, and Parliament, as well as candidate commissioners, the groups express growing frustration over the EU’s lack of progress on its climate commitments.
The letter, which is co-signed by over 130 academics and prominent organisations like Oxfam, Greenpeace, ActionAid International, 350.org, Legambiente, and the Laudato Si Movement, calls for a detailed and transparent plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies across the European Union. The letter underscores that these subsidies “distort energy demand, perpetuate dependence on polluting energy sources, and undermine European energy security, while subsidising industries that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.”
Dr. Angela Huston Gold, spokesperson for the UCJ coalition, highlighted the urgency: “The EU cannot claim leadership on climate action while continuing to support polluting industries with billions. EU leaders must make a choice: stand with the people and the planet, or continue propping up an economy that’s driving us towards climate catastrophe. The recent disastrous floods in Central and Eastern Europe are yet another wake up call. We must end our fossil fuel dependency and therefore eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies.”
Critics argue that fossil fuel subsidies directly contradict the EU’s own environmental goals and exacerbate the global climate crisis, disproportionately harming vulnerable communities in both Europe and the Global South.
Despite pledges under the EU’s 8th Environmental Action Programme (2022) to eliminate harmful subsidies, little progress has been made. The coalition warns that without decisive action, the EU risks missing its 2030 and 2050 climate goals, which could have severe repercussions for ecosystems, economies, and human lives both within and outside Europe. The lack of meaningful progress, they argue, puts the EU’s climate credibility at risk.
October 5th: organised march against fossil subsidies in Brussels
To make the demands of the open letter heard, UCJ will hold a pan-European protest in Brussels on October 5th, starting in Place du Luxembourg at 14:00 and concluding with a People’s Assembly in Merode. The event will bring together activists from across Europe and the Global South to call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies and immediate action to stop the climate crisis.
For more info: https://stopfossilsubsidies.eu/