25/07/2025
The European Climate Foundation’s 2024 annual report, entitled ‘Advancing Climate Action for Peace, Democracy and Prosperity,’ offers a timely reflection on the state of climate action in Europe and beyond. At a time of geopolitical upheaval, social tensions and democratic fragility, what the opportunities and challenges are to shape the next phase of the climate transition?
In 2024, climate action has not only survived a challenging political and economic environment, it has evolved. The report is not simply a list of policy milestones or programmatic victories, but a broader narrative about adaptation, interdependence, and urgency. Climate progress is being driven not only by legislation, but also by deeper cultural shifts, stronger citizen engagement, and a growing awareness that decarbonisation is essential to peace, equity, and economic renewal.
A changing landscape
2024 was a year of political and economic transition, marked by a decline in environmental commitments in some countries, rising living costs and the continued spread of disinformation targeting climate and democratic institutions. Public finances are under pressure and, in many countries, the political will to take bold action has weakened. Yet despite these headwinds, significant momentum has been maintained. Across Europe, campaigns focused on clean industry, energy security and a just transition have helped keep the climate agenda on the front burner, often by linking it directly to the everyday concerns of the public: jobs, energy bills, fairness and stability.
Climate solutions at the heart of policy
Effective climate policy is inseparable from the social, economic, and political landscapes in which it operates. In 2024, major legislation, such as the European Critical Raw Materials Act and the Nature Restoration Act, reflected this shift. These laws did not focus solely on emissions targets, but also aimed to ensure supply chain resilience, protect public health and restore ecological stability. More importantly, climate action is now seen as a strategic response to Europe’s need for industrial competitiveness and energy independence. The launch of initiatives such as the European Heat Pump Acceleration Platform and the growing focus on investments in the electricity grid show how decisions on critical infrastructure are increasingly driven by climate considerations.
Democracy as a driver of climate progress
Public legitimacy is now one of the most important ingredients for climate success. In 2024, efforts were made across Europe to strengthen the democratic foundations of climate policies by involving citizens, combating misinformation and empowering communities to shape the transition. From polls and fact-checking during the European elections to rural engagement projects in Spain and a citizens’ assembly on air pollution in North Macedonia, the report highlights how civil society actors are helping to bring the climate debate out of elitist circles and into real conversations with real people.
There is growing recognition that effective storytelling, cultural relevance and diverse representation are essential tools, not optional extras, for sustaining climate action.
Financing the transition
Another important conclusion is the urgent need to rethink climate finance, both in Europe and globally. The report highlights advances such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, but also points to setbacks, such as the EU simplification package, which has weakened key aspects of the Green Deal’s financial architecture.
At the global level, new instruments such as the Green Guarantee Group and the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force are gaining traction as means of unlocking finance for climate action in the Global South, where financing gaps remain immense. This reminds us that the success of European climate leadership is inextricably linked to its willingness to support global solidarity.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and the Road to COP30
As the world prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and looks ahead to COP30 in Belém, the 2024 annual report makes a timely call for renewed ambition. With multilateralism under strain and the United States withdrawing from climate action, the responsibility for maintaining and advancing climate progress increasingly falls on Europe.
The report reminds us that climate action is not just about carbon and technology, but also about people, public trust and the kind of future we collectively choose to build. Success will depend on our ability to integrate climate priorities into the broader fabric of democracy, culture, industry and international diplomacy. If 2024 has proven one thing, it is that progress is still possible, even in the face of uncertainty and division. By basing action on shared values, strategic cooperation and social inclusion, the way forward remains not only viable, but also full of opportunities.
Read the full report