Caritas Europa joined more than 200 organizations from the Church, civil society and companies to demand that European Union leaders create a concrete plan to phase out fossil fuels. The signatories addressed a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, urging her to announce the launch of a comprehensive, independent and science-based report, with the aim of making the current fossil fuel crisis Europe's last.
The consortium warned that the population is paying dearly for inaction, reporting that the second crisis in the sector in just four years added more than 50 billion euros to Europe's energy bill for families and businesses. The document highlighted the tragic human and economic toll of the climate crisis, noting that successive heat waves caused severe droughts and devastating wildfires, with extreme June temperatures alone estimated to have claimed at least 14,000 lives in Europe.
The undersigned institutions rejected the idea of an uncontrollable accident, arguing that dependence on the fossil model has repeatedly undermined Europe's prosperity, leaving citizens exposed to price shocks and geopolitical decisions made elsewhere. The proposed exit plan outlines five priorities, demanding that the Commission identify the fastest and most competitive path supported by proven solutions, rejecting funding for exaggerated and unproven technologies.
The Catholic network and remaining partners called for aligning every euro with the phase-out of fossil resources to ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind. The document also advocates for recognizing nature as an ally and the primary line of defense in climate action, pushing for the release of funds to protect forests, wetlands, and carbon-absorbing soils. The joint letter expressed that implementing these recommendations could transform the current situation into a pivotal moment, providing European citizens with an affordable, renewable, secure and local energy system.
