BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – October 5, 2025 – The Women Climate Leaders Network WCLNconvened its mid-year meeting in Brussels, gathering female business leaders from all 27 EU Member States alongside policymakers, experts, and financial institutions to urge a rapid acceleration of Europe green transition. The consensus of the meeting was clear: “The green transition is the only way Europe cannot compete on fossil fuels.”
The strategic dialogue focused on unlocking green finance, advancing the decarbonisation agenda, and positioning women at the forefront of sustainable transformation. WCLN members stressed that climate ambition is not merely an environmental necessity but a crucial economic opportunity and competitive advantage for Europe.
Private Sector Confidence and Policy Needs
Discussions highlighted that the European private sector is increasingly ready to embrace climate leadership. New research presented at the meeting by Boston Consulting Group BCG and Argos reinforced this optimism, showing that:
- 90% of European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SMEs consider reducing greenhouse gas emissions “important or critical.”
- 84% view decarbonisation as an opportunity, not a risk.
To translate this private sector confidence into action, WCLN members called on EU institutions to streamline policy and funding frameworks. They praised progress on the integrated approach to climate policy and the 35% spending target for climate-related investments in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework MFF. However, the Network also emphasized the critical need for additional advisory support for newer EU Member States facing structural and technical barriers to accessing available cohesion and innovation funding.
Partnering with Europe Climate Bank
A key session featured a dialogue with the European Investment Bank EIB Group, focusing on its forthcoming Climate Bank Roadmap 2026–2030. The WCLN stressed the importance of maintaining the EIB high level of ambition, particularly in SME financing climate adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure. Both parties committed to exploring collaborations to ensure women-led businesses and innovators are fully integrated into Europe green investment ecosystem.
As one participant noted, “Empowering women in climate leadership isn’t just fair it’s smart economics.” The WCLN which serves as a strategic advisory body to the EIB Group, continues to champion a vision where gender equality, green innovation and climate resilience are mutually reinforcing goals.
The meeting concluded with members joining the Climate & Energy Summit hosted by Friends of Europe where they showcased practical market-driven climate solutions and reiterated that Europe long-term prosperity depends on achieving energy autonomy, digital competitiveness, and climate resilience.