Women Climate Leaders Network Calls for Bold Action to Drive Europe’s Green Transition

The Women Climate Leaders Network (WCLN) convened its mid-year hybrid meeting in Brussels, bringing together female business leaders from all 27 EU Member States, alongside EU policymakers, experts, and financial institutions, to accelerate Europe’s green transition and strengthen its global competitiveness.

The gathering served as a platform for strategic dialogue on advancing Europe’s decarbonisation agenda, unlocking financing for green innovators, and positioning women leaders at the forefront of sustainable transformation.

As one speaker aptly summarised, “The green transition is the only way — Europe cannot compete on fossil fuels.”

Women Leading the Green Transformation

The WCLN meeting reflected growing consensus that climate ambition is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity. Members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decarbonisation, sustainable finance, and gender-responsive innovation, while promoting the business case for climate action.

WCLN members agreed that disruption should be seen as a catalyst, not a threat, and urged European institutions to accelerate investment in clean technology, digital innovation, and energy independence. They emphasised that female leadership is essential to shaping resilient and inclusive green economies.

“We must see decarbonisation as a competitive advantage, not a constraint,” one participant noted. “Women leaders are driving that change — transforming challenges into market opportunities.”

Building a Supportive Policy and Investment Ecosystem

Discussions focused on how the EU can improve its policy environment and funding frameworks to better support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and scale-ups in adopting green technologies and achieving climate neutrality.

Members welcomed progress made since the publication of the WCLN March 2025 Recommendation Paper, which assessed EU financial tools and policy frameworks to support SME greening and innovation scaling.

In particular, participants praised the integrated approach to climate and environmental policy and the 35% spending target for climate-related investments in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The Network also welcomed the “one-stop-shop” and single-rulebook approach, aimed at simplifying access to EU funds. However, members highlighted the need for additional advisory support for newer EU Member States, many of which face structural and technical barriers to tapping into available financing for cohesion and innovation.

Private Sector Confidence in Green Transition

New research presented at the meeting from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Argos reinforced optimism in Europe’s private sector. According to the survey:

• 90% of European SMEs consider reducing greenhouse gas emissions “important or critical”;

• 84% see decarbonisation as an opportunity, not a risk.

These findings underscored that European businesses increasingly view climate leadership as essential for long-term competitiveness, aligning with the WCLN’s mission to amplify market-driven solutions that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Dialogue with the European Investment Bank Group

A major highlight of the meeting was a dialogue session with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, focused on its forthcoming Climate Bank Roadmap 2026–2030.

The EIB — known as Europe’s climate bank — outlined its strategic priorities for scaling up climate finance, supporting energy efficiency, and fostering innovation in green technologies.

WCLN members stressed the importance of maintaining the EIB’s high level of ambition, particularly in SME financing, climate adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure. Both parties agreed to explore collaborative opportunities to maximise impact and ensure that women-led businesses and innovators are fully integrated into Europe’s green investment ecosystem.

“We see the EIB not only as a financial institution but as a key driver of Europe’s sustainable transition,” said one participant. “Our collaboration must ensure that funding mechanisms are accessible, inclusive, and catalytic.”

Bridging Gender, Climate, and Innovation

Since its establishment, the Women Climate Leaders Network has served as a strategic advisory body to the EIB Group, advancing a vision where gender equality, green innovation, and climate resilience are mutually reinforcing.

The Network’s work supports the EU’s broader climate and gender equality goals, echoing initiatives such as the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025.

Through policy advocacy and knowledge sharing, WCLN continues to highlight the leadership potential of women entrepreneurs and innovators who are pioneering solutions in renewable energy, circular economy, digitalisation, and sustainable agriculture.

“Empowering women in climate leadership isn’t just fair — it’s smart economics,” said one WCLN member. “Companies with women in leadership positions are more likely to innovate, adapt, and deliver sustainable growth.”

From Policy to Practice: Sharing Market-Driven Solutions

Following the closed-door WCLN meeting, members participated in the Climate & Energy Summit hosted by Friends of Europe, where they joined senior figures from the European Commission, European Parliament, and the EIB Group to discuss Europe’s energy security, resilience, and digital-green transformation.

Two WCLN members were featured as keynote speakers, while others contributed to plenary debates, showcasing practical market-driven climate solutions and highlighting EIB-supported initiatives such as energy efficiency programmes for SMEs and sustainable finance instruments for green innovation.

The summit reinforced the message that Europe’s long-term prosperity depends on accelerating its transition to energy autonomy, digital competitiveness, and climate resilience — all of which demand inclusive participation and gender-balanced leadership.

The Power of Women’s Collaboration

As the forum concluded, participants celebrated the transformative power of women-led collaboration and cross-sector partnerships in driving systemic change.

“This is Europe’s Declaration of Independence,” one participant said. “Building resilience through energy autonomy, digital innovation, and a green economy rooted in shared values is how we will secure our future.”

The Brussels meeting reaffirmed the WCLN’s role as a strategic bridge between policy and practice, uniting female leaders, investors, and policymakers to chart a course toward a greener, fairer, and more competitive Europe.

Looking Ahead

The WCLN plans to build on the momentum from Brussels by launching new working groups on climate finance, innovation scaling, and inclusive leadership in advance of its 2026 annual summit. The Network also intends to publish a mid-term review tracking progress on its recommendations to EU institutions and the private sector.

As Europe faces the dual challenge of economic competitiveness and climate transition, the Women Climate Leaders Network continues to stand out as a beacon of collaboration, courage, and innovation, demonstrating that women’s leadership is essential to achieving a sustainable and resilient future.