Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: WindEurope is strategically and positively engaged on EU climate policy. It supports key EU policies such as the Emissions Trading System, the 2040 Climate Target and the Energy Taxation Directive revision. The association is also strongly supportive of transitioning the energy mix away from fossil fuels towards renewables.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: WindEurope is strongly supportive of climate action and the need for government regulation to respond to climate change in its top-line messaging. In a joint recommendations paper published in December 2024, the association appeared to support the EU's 2050 climate neutrality target, and in a September 2023 joint letter it supported GHG emissions reductions in line with the 1.5°C target. WindEurope also supported carbon pricing in the same letter and called for more ambition ahead of COP 28. The association supporting the European Green Deal and funding for its implementation in a May 2024 open letter.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policies: WindEurope’s overall engagement with climate-related regulations in the EU appears to be strongly positive on renewable energy legislation, with a few exceptions to its support on other policy areas. In a January 2024 public consultation, WindEurope supported the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System and called on the European Commission to adopt updated free allocation rules as soon as possible. The association supported an EU 2040 GHG emissions reductions target of 90 to 95% compared to 1990 levels, in line with scientific recommendations, in a February 2024 Electrification Alliance joint statement.
In a March 2022 joint letter, the group supported higher targets in the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD). However, in a September 2023 joint statement, WindEurope advocated to expand the definition of the zero-emission buildings in the EPBD to include grid energy sources as well as additional renewable capacity, a position which is misaligned with the EU Commission. The association supported the recycling of critical raw materials from relevant waste streams in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, in a December 2024 position paper.
In a September 2023 joint letter, WindEurope strongly supported a global renewable energy target to be set at COP 28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. In the EU, the association advocated for EU member states to speed up the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive’s (RED) permitting rules for renewables, in a July 2023 press release and a July 2024 press release. WindEurope advocated in a June 2022 public consultation response to weaken the EU RED Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin, by stating that the implementation of stringent conditions on renewable hydrogen production should be delayed. However, in a March 2023 joint letter, it urged the EU Council and Parliament to support the adoption of the Delegated Act. The association supported measures to boost the deployment of renewables in the EU Electricity Market Design reform in a May 2023 position paper but stated that two-way contracts for difference should be adopted on a voluntary basis only in a July 2023 press release.
Positioning on Energy Transition: WindEurope strongly supports the transition of the energy mix away from fossil fuels towards renewables and consistently advocates for the electrification of key sectors. The association advocated for streamlined permitting for renewable energy projects, grid investments and other mechanisms to facilitate the transition to renewable energy in a September 2023 joint letter. WindEurope advocated for the EU to set an intermediate electrification target of at least 35% by 2030 and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies in a February 2024 position paper. It also supported the EU Grid Action Plan and greater long-term planning to integrate renewables into the electricity grid in an April 2024 press release.
In a February 2025 position paper, WindEurope called for the EU Affordable Energy Action Plan to focus on renewables-based electrification, and supported aligning energy taxation with climate goals and the implementation of EU Electricity Market Design rules on non-fossil flexibility. WindEurope has consistently supported the EU Energy Taxation Directive reform as part of the Electrification Alliance, pushing for national taxation to shift away from clean electricity onto fossil fuels, in an October 2023 position paper and a February 2024 position paper. Additionally, WindEurope supported subsidies for strategic net-zero technologies in the Net Zero Industry Act in a June 2023 joint paper and advocated against the weakening of the policy as suggested by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee.