Business networks from across Europe call for fossil fuel phase out at COP28 | Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

9 December 2023 - 29 Business organisations representing different sectors and different sizes of businesses from SMEs to multinationals have urgently come together during COP28 shared a statement with European policy makers calling for them to support language during the COP negotiations that will set the world economy on a clear path to a tripling of renewable energy by 2030 the doubling of energy efficiency and a fossil fuel phase out.

Read the letter here

The letter is signed by cross-European business networks and networks based in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The letter builds on the support already given to the We Mean Business campaign, where more than 200 businesses with over $1.5 trillion in revenue supported the call “from fossil to clean.” It comes as negotiators enter the final days of COP negotiations and difficult discussions on the final text around fossil fuels.

The letter states “There will be no business without a planet, which is why we urge all parties at COP28 to support language that will set the world economy on a clear path to a tripling of renewable energies by 2030, doubling energy efficiency and a fossil fuel phase out.” It goes on to emphasise that “Businesses in the European Union with strong presence across the globe, have put strategies in place to get to net-zero and invest in a sustainable future. As European business organisations, representing businesses of all sizes and sectors, we urgently call upon our national governments and the European Union, to push for clear language to phase out fossil fuels in the final negotiated outcomes of COP28.”

It was sent to the European negotiators and ministers at COP and was signed by:

BCSD Portugal (Business Council for Sustainable Development Portugal)

BEE Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien e.V. (German Renewable Energy Business Association, Germany)

BITC Ireland (Business in The Community Ireland)

Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (German Federation of Sustainable Economy, Germany)

BTGA e.V.Bundesindustrieverband Technische Gebäudeausrüstung (German Industrial Association for Technical Building Equipment, Germany)

BWE Bundesverband Windenergie (The German Wind Energy Association, Germany)

Bundesverband Wärmepumpe (German Heat Pump Association, Germany)

CEOs for future (Austria)

CER Sustainable Business Network (Slovenia)

CLC (Climate Leadership Coalition)

Climate Strategy & Partners (Spain)

CLG Europe (Corporate Leaders Group Europe)

CirEko (Sweden)

Ecopreneur.eu (The European Sustainable Business Federation)

EHPA (European Heat Pump Association)

EuroACE (The European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings)

Fachverband Gebäude-Klima e. V. (Association for Climate Buildings, Germany)

Grüner Wirtschaftsdialog (Green Economic Dialogue, Germany)

Hagainitiativet (Haga Initiative, Sweden)

Herstellerverband Raumlufttechnische Geräte e. V (Manufacturer’s Association for Air Conditioning Equipment, Germany)