EUREC is collecting signatories supporting our last position paper: EUREC and 20 other organisations believe that Horizon Europe should invest in Climate, Energy and Mobility much more. If you want to support us, send the logo of your organisation (.png format, transparent background) to lain@eurec.be and we will add it to the list of signatories.

When? Negotiations on budget allocations now. If you want to join this initiative, please send us your logo as soon as possible. We will quickly add it to the position paper. You can then forward it to the research ministry of your Member State with your own short message of support. To have an impact, this should be done by Wednesday 9th September 2020.

Horizon Europe budget must be aligned with the European Green Deal

In difficult circumstances the July European Council managed to find agreement for an exceptional EU budget. New facilities have been created to deal with the economic restructuring that will come in the wake of COVID-19.

But some parts of the budget suffered cuts compared to the European Commission’s proposals. This is the case of Horizon Europe.

Horizon Europe is a vital instrument to cement the EU’s recovery long-term and embed it in the transition to climate neutrality by 2050 – rightfully a key policy priority of the EU. With a smaller Horizon Europe budget, the EU must invest sensibly. It must prioritise funding for those technologies that will deliver on the EU’s energy & climate targets.

Recently the German Presidency surveyed Member States for their views on the split between budget headings within Horizon 2020. Our view is that in no circumstances should the Cluster Climate, Energy and Mobility receive less than the amount the Commission proposed in 2018 (13.3 bn EUR in constant 2018 prices) – and that it should in fact receive much more.

Since 2018, the mission of the EU has been reframed. Central to it now is a European Green Deal containing a commitment to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 with significant additional work to be done by 2030. This Deal implies a greater need for resources for renewable energy-related R&D than originally foreseen, not a smaller need.

Horizon Europe contains the commitment that 35% of its budget must go towards climate-relevant actions. An adequate budget for the Climate, Energy and Mobility Cluster will help to ensure that the target is reached.

The industries we serve consider European R&D funding vital important to their success and will use Horizon Europe’s resources to create jobs and growth for a healthier planet.