In a powerful show of unity, cities, towns, regions and major local government networks, including ICLEI Europe, call on the European Commission to adopt a binding 2040 climate target rooted in science and ambition in a joint letter. Continuing the journey and maintaining EU ambitions is a requirement for cities to lead Europe’s climate transition with clarity and trust.
Mayors and local leaders from across Europe, together with leading local government networks, have a clear message to national and EU leaders: set a binding EU target to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2040. In the joint letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, the signatories underscore the need for science-based, domestically achieved climate action, in line with the recommendations of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) and the Commission’s own 2040 Impact Assessment. This includes achieving the 90% reduction through real emissions cuts within Europe, without reliance on international offsetting mechanisms. It also stresses that the transition must be just and inclusive, with adequate EU support embedded in the next EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) to ensure all communities can participate and benefit.
ICLEI Europe strongly supports this call, highlighting that such a target is indispensable to continue empowering cities, towns and regions to act decisively, in close cooperation with local businesses and communities. As ICLEI Europe’s Regional Director, Wolfgang Teubner, highlighted earlier this year: “The 2040 climate target will serve as a crucial milestone on our journey to climate neutrality by 2050, providing cities with the clear direction and long-term framework they need to continue leading this transformation. As we work together towards achieving the ambitious decarbonisation and competitiveness goals of the EU, the importance of establishing a robust 2040 climate target cannot be overstated. European cities are at the forefront of the fight against climate change, implementing innovative solutions that not only contribute to reducing emissions but also enhance the quality of life for their residents.”
Wildfires, floods, and heatwaves are devastating communities in Europe already with painful regularity. What will protect those communities is enabling truly ambitious, science‑based action through a strong intermediate target. Across Europe, cities are already delivering results: investing in clean energy, cutting emissions, advancing sustainable mobility, and building climate resilience. But these local actions require long-term certainty, coherence across governance levels, and a clear EU-wide framework. As the world looks toward COP30, a science-based commitment at the EU level would reinforce the bloc’s international standing, while unlocking the full potential of multilevel climate governance.
With the joint letter signing cities and networks, including C40, Eurocities, CEMR, as well as ICLEI European and Global Presidents the Mayors of Freiburg (Germany) and Malmö (Sweden), send a coordinated appeal reflecting the reality that local governments are not merely implementers, but are central to shaping, financing, and driving Europe’s green transformation. A role local and regional governments are determined to see reflected in future EU governance processes as expressed in a joint letter on shared governance in Europe sent in June.
Read the full letter here.