WWF is calling for the EU and governments at the international climate negotiations at COP31 starting next week to show that global climate action is moving from negotiation to implementation by delivering concrete progress on commitments.
The world needs faster emissions cuts, better protection for communities, and climate finance that reaches those who need it most. COP31 must turn promises into tangible results for people and nature and demonstrate that climate action is delivering on the ground.
Science shows that global temperatures are likely to increase by more than 1.5°C. The level of action taken today will determine how severe this overshoot becomes and how long it lasts.
Meanwhile, the energy transition is accelerating around the world, proving that change is both possible and achievable. Yet countries, especially heavy polluters, are still not acting quickly enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement or protect communities from increasingly severe climate impacts. The challenge is no longer a lack of solutions, but a lack of urgency in deploying action, finance and support at the pace and scale required.
“COP31 must show that climate action is not only about setting targets, but about delivering results. Electrification powered by renewable energy can cut emissions and shield people from volatile fossil fuel prices. The solutions already exist and can be deployed today. Governments must stop pouring billions into the drivers of the crisis and instead invest in solutions that improve lives and protect nature. The EU should take the lead on this on the international stage and can showcase domestic action and implementation through its 2040 climate and energy package,” said Arnaud Van Dooren, Senior Policy Officer on Renewable Energy at WWF EU.
One area where governments could demonstrate immediate progress is electrification. WWF welcomes the COP Presidency’s proposal to achieve 35% electrification of the energy system by 2035 and urges the EU to support this target. Expanding the use of renewable electricity, as a key part of transitioning away from fossil fuels, is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce emissions and exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.
But ambition on paper must be matched by action in practice. A target alone will not deliver change if it is not backed by the policies, investments, and financing needed. WWF also stresses that governments should prioritise investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification solutions that directly benefit vulnerable households and communities. Perhaps most crucially, billions of public money continue to support fossil fuels. In the EU almost €100 billion was spent on fossil fuel subsidies in 2024 alone, while a recent WWF study pointed out that in 2025 the total cost of fossil fuel imports came close to €300 billion of which 85% could be immediately could be immediately replaced. These funds should instead be redirected towards clean energy solutions that lower the impact on nature and help build a healthier, more equitable future.
