Quick action needed: sign an open letter calling EU Council to vote for an ambitious GHG emission target for 2040

Dear scientists,

on 23 October, EU leaders will convene at the European Council Summit to deliberate on the future direction of European climate policy.

While the 2040 climate target is expected to appear only marginally in the official conclusions, indications suggest that the political dynamics behind closed doors may lead to a weakening of earlier commitments.

The discussions on 23 October will be pivotal in shaping the subsequent decision by EU Environment Ministers on 4 November, when they will determine the GHG reduction target for 2040.

Why your engagement matters:
The outcome of these deliberations will define the level of climate ambition for the next two decades.

However, as the current political discourse is shifting away from science and environmental ambitions alike, it seems essential that policymakers are aware that the scientific community is observing these negotiations closely. Accordingly, in a joint effort among members of Scientists for Future, an open letter was prepared, calling EU policymakers to stick to science, stick to Paris, and accordingly decide for an ambitious GHG-reduction target of at 90-95% by 2040 as recommended by scientists.

By endorsing the open letter, you can contribute to reinforcing the call for evidence-based, ambitious, and actionable climate targets consistent with scientific recommendations.

A quick action is needed from you to sign by Monday, 20.10.2025 9:00CET, as the letter needs to be published ahead of the 23.10 meeting.

Thus, please