Ahead of the upcoming European Leaders summit to set EU strategic priorities for the next five years, at least 449 cross-sector organisations have called for the strengthening of the mandate of the EU Green Deal.
Renewables organisations have joined with climate and nature NGOs, as well as local government representation, to issue the statement.
Together, signatories remind EU leaders that the Green Deal is, and has been, the engine to drive sustainable growth and security.
The signatories ask EU leaders to confirm the EU Green Deal as a top priority in the next EU Strategic Agenda, and
complement it with a Clean Industrial Deal that is in line with the Green Deal objectives.
They also call for an aligning of all EU financial instruments with the Green Deal objectives for 2030 and beyond, including establishing a new Clean Industrial Deal Investment Plan as part of the next EU budget; supporting cities and regions in the transition.
Finally, the signatories want to see the appointment of an executive vice-president for both the Green and Industrial Deals to ensure both competitiveness and decarbonisation objectives are met in the most efficient way.
Walburga Hemetsberger, chief executive of SolarPower Europe, said: “Delivering the Green Deal is a prerequisite to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and is essential to an Industrial Deal for Europe.
“The Green Deal has given Europe the tools to set a new track towards energy security and sustainable prosperity.
“Now is the time to modernise Europe’s economy. With the EU elections behind us, 400 economic actors are giving a clear signal to EU leaders: confirm the Green Deal as a strategic priority.”