As France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Slovakia and the Czech Republic record their hottest days ever and fossil fuel profits soar to $22 billion, a massive faith-based coalition urges the incoming EU Council Presidency to make polluters pay and lead a just transition away from fossil fuels.
BRUSSELS / DUBLIN — At the start of Ireland assuming the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1st, a rapidly growing European coalition has issued a powerful moral call to EU leaders. The “Europe, Be Faithful for Our Common Home” campaign has now been endorsed by over 170 faith-based organizations, representing an unprecedented unified front across 20 EU member states.
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The faith coalition warns EU leaders against allowing the proposed “Omnibus simplification packages” to become a back-door mechanism for deregulation. As discussions begin on the 7-year EU budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the coalition argues for massively scaled up investment in energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy, respecting the rights of indigenous people and local communities.
Corporate windfall profits vs. the public good
The campaign’s demands are sharpened as millions across Europe are hit by the interconnected climate, cost-of-living and energy crises. Just days ago, on 17 June, climate and financial justice organisations mobilised at the European Council in Brussels to protest skyrocketing excess fossil fuel profits. Europe’s six largest oil and gas corporations made a combined $22 billion in profits in the first quarter of 2026 alone—the highest quarterly total since 2022. A recent Global Witness study found that carbon emissions from EU oil firms’ production since the Paris Agreement is set to cause an estimated $1.5 trillion in global climate damages.
Four immediate actions demanded of EU leadership:
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A Fast and Fair Fossil Fuel Phase-Out: Establish a legally binding strategy to exit coal by 2030, gas by 2035, and oil by 2040, together with an immediate ban on new fossil fuel exploration.
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A Permanent Windfall Profit Tax: Introduce a permanent tax on the massive profits of fossil fuel companies to finance the energy transition and shield vulnerable households from the cost-of-living crisis.
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Massive Clean Energy & Sufficiency Investment: Scale up investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification and the circular economy while promoting resource sufficiency.
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Climate Finance in the EU Budget: Prioritise human dignity and social justice over corporate interests in the upcoming 7-year EU budget (MFF).
