2026 marks five years since EPICO’s founding - at a decisive moment for European climate policy.
As Europe moves towards its 2040 and 2050 climate targets, the central challenge is no longer defining ambition but delivering it pragmatically under increasingly complex political and economic conditions. In a rapidly changing global landscape, advancing climate action has never been more contested - or more critical for Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.
EPICO was founded on the belief that achieving climate neutrality requires more than targets. It demands innovative policy frameworks that align climate ambition with investment opportunities , industrial realities and market-based solutions. Working across Brussels and Berlin, EPICO helps translate long-term objectives into clear pathways supported by smart and implementable instruments.
At EU level, policy options we outlined early on - including the combination of emissions trading frontloading with a strengthened Market Stability Reserve - are now shaping the reference pathway for the next phase of ETS 2 negotiations. In Germany, recent coalition agreements on a smart industrial electricity price, continued renewable expansion and a 10-GW power plant strategy reflect proposals EPICO has advanced in recent months.
Since 2021, our Policy Accelerators have brought together policymakers, industry leaders and experts to develop actionable solutions to concrete climate policy challenges. Through the Sustainable Growth Forum, we coordinate a network of partner think tanks across seven European countries, connecting EU-level with national policy debates.
As climate policy enters a more demanding phase, maintaining momentum will require innovation, resilience and pragmatic cooperation. EPICO’s next chapter will focus on strengthening Europe’s ability to deliver climate neutrality in a way that is economically viable, socially fair and politically sustainable - a role increasingly reflected in the recognition of its leadership, with CEO Dr. Bernd Weber named among TOP of the Table 100 most influential people in climate.
A Collective Effort
Shaping Europe’s climate future requires collaboration across sectors. EPICO’s work is supported by an independent advisory board with experience spanning policy, industry, academia and civil society. Drawing on experience from national ministries and European institutions, our team develops solutions that reflect how climate policy is shaped - and delivered - in practice.