Sustainability

Position papers
- PDF Document - 610.26 KB

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EU energy and climate legislation sets the pace for decarbonising our economy. Some of these laws contain EU targets. The governance law helps Member States deliver these targets and defines reporting obligations. This should result in consumers benefitting from lower bills, a better quality of life, and a future for our planet. Practically this means more renewable energy, less imports of volatile fossil fuels, continuous efforts to use energy more efficiently, the availability of sustainable products that can be recognised via clear labels, a variety of green mobility choices, and a future where healthy and sustainable foods are accessible and affordable.
Tools
- PDF Document - 233.07 KB

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Rising prices for new cars are pushing more consumers toward the second-hand market. For used car buyers, electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging as the most cost-effective alternative to petrol cars, yet supply remains too limited. Electrifying corporate fleets, which represent roughly 60% of new car sales and are typically replaced every four years, could quickly increase the supply of second-hand EVs, making them more accessible to everyday drivers.
Tools
- PDF Document - 174.52 KB

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Car electrification is taking off in Europe, with consumer interest rising as electric vehicles (EVs) become more accessible. But the supply of small, affordable EVs still lags behind demand, especially on the second-hand market, where most cars are sold. Weakening targets and promoting “alternative” technologies thus confuse consumers and deter investments. It slows the flow of EVs into markets, pushing back clean and affordable mobility for all.
Tools
- PDF Document - 156.5 KB

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Buying a car is a major decision for consumers. Beyond the initial investment, they expect reliable information about the fuel or electricity consumption, the range, the battery state of health, the overall condition or the environmental performance of a car. This is particularly true on the second-hand market, where most consumers buy their vehicle and look for accurate, credible and comparable data. A well-designed car label can therefore help consumers navigate the market and choose a car that fits their needs.
Press releases
- PDF Document - 143.97 KB

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Following a complaint by BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, 21 major airlines have committed to stop using claims that mislead consumers about the real impact of flying on the environment. This was announced by the European Commission today, concluding a 1.5-year investigation by national consumer authorities.
BEUC launched the action in June 2023 with 23 of its member organisations and kept monitoring the market since then. An evaluation two years on, in June 2025, showed that airlines’ greenwashing was still rife despite some improvements
Position papers
- PDF Document - 597.18 KB

Available in English
People have been locked into an energy and transport system fundamentally based on (imported) fossil fuels. This has a negative impact on the planet, our health, wallets, and geopolitical security. Change is afoot to decarbonise our economy, influenced by clear EU policies in energy, product design, and the automotive sector. BEUC research has consistently shown that electrification in many consumer areas – cars, cooling, heating – is the most affordable option.

Consumers are increasingly willing to buy sustainable products, especially energy-efficient ones, in order to minimise their impact on the environment. All too often though, confusing information and a great variety of industry claims make this difficult. What makes it even more complicated is the lack of enough sustainable products in EU shops and that they are barely identifiable.

  • Improve the sustainability of products by reducing their impact on the environment
  • Give consumers the possibility to make informed and sustainable choices between different products using independent and verified labels (such as the Ecolabel). Unsustainable products to be taken off the market
  • Reduce the carbon footprint of transport in Europe while ensuring consumers benefit from improved information and cost reductions