Overview
Children grow up fast, so when it comes to climate action, every moment matters. Europe provides a global blueprint, demonstrating how climate action can contribute to economic growth, cleaner environments, and better health outcomes for communities. CIFF and its partners are supporting efforts which enable the transition, helping the continent become greener and healthier.
People across Europe continue to support climate action because they recognise it's essential to protect their families, communities, and futures. Despite increasing concerns around the cost of living and security, public and political support for climate action remains strong. In the UK, 78% of parliamentarians and 63% of the public support Net Zero (Climate Barometer, 2025) – and in the EU, 81% of citizens support the EU's goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 (European Commission, 2025). For progress to be sustained, however, the realities of industrial transition must keep pace with this ambition.
Accelerating clean technology deployment combining climate action with long-term economic growth
2025 marked a significant turning point for Europe’s industrial transformation. The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal was passed in February 2025 and will help bridge the gap between Europe’s political and public-led climate ambition and the realities of industrial growth. The deal will support both climate action and long-term economic opportunity.
CIFF continued to support partners across Europe, such as the European Climate Foundation (ECF), to help convene experts, civil society, and industry stakeholders to support meaningful progress. These combined efforts – implemented by governments, industry, and climate partners – are already yielding measurable results. By mid-2025, solar became the EU’s largest electricity source, following a record 65 GW of new installations in 2024.
Battery manufacturing, essential for green transport and clean energy sectors, is also on track to exceed the 2030 target of 550 GWh annually. People are already seeing the economic and health benefits of the scaling of clean energy. In Spain, for example, electricity prices were more than 30% above the European average seven years ago; today, significant investment in wind and solar has helped bring prices to around 20% below the European average (Caixa Bank, 2025). Norway is also demonstrating what rapid clean-tech adoption looks like, with EVs accounting for 98.9% of new car sales in September 2025 (Clean Technica, 2025).
Photo Credit: istock / Juan Gutierrez
Supporting climate diplomacy and global leadership
Over the course of 2025, European leaders continued to play key roles in championing climate action on the global stage. CIFF’s partners, including ECF, supported the EU to align its ambition with multilateral commitments ahead of key global convenings. This work has helped position Europe as a credible climate leader.
In 2025, the EU agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 – a landmark, legally binding target that strengthens Europe’s trajectory towards climate neutrality. Behind each diplomatic milestone is the shared goal of protecting communities from climate risks, creating stable and affordable energy systems, and securing a safer, healthier future for children everywhere. The role of Europe throughout 2025 sent a powerful signal internationally, reaffirming the region’s commitment to tackling climate change and creating a world that better protects and improves the lives of children and communities.
