55 European Companies Back Bold 2028 Climate Plan

When 55 major companies and environmental organizations write a joint letter to government leaders, you know something important is happening. Leading European firms including TRATON, Vattenfall, and Danfoss just launched the European ETS2 Action Alliance to push for a carbon pricing system that businesses actually want.

The coalition is rallying behind ETS2, a policy set to start in 2028 that will put a price on diesel, petrol, and heating fuels across Europe. Instead of fighting the regulation, these companies are asking lawmakers not to weaken or delay it.

Why would businesses advocate for climate rules? Because uncertainty costs more than compliance. Companies need to know the rules won't change so they can confidently invest billions in green technology and low-carbon solutions.

Federico Terreni, climate manager at Transport & Environment, put it bluntly. "What businesses and citizens need is consistency, not flip-flopping on measures that are crucial for the EU to meet its climate targets," he said.

The alliance brings together an unusual mix of voices. Environmental nonprofits are sitting at the same table as industrial trade associations, all pushing for the same goal.

They're also emphasizing that carbon pricing alone won't solve everything. The coalition wants complementary policies like renewable energy directives and clean vehicle regulations to work alongside ETS2.

The Ripple Effect

This coalition represents a turning point in how businesses approach climate action. Rather than lobbying against environmental rules, major companies are now publicly defending them as essential for planning and competitiveness.

The alliance will serve as an ongoing platform connecting actors across climate, energy, transport, and building sectors. It's designed to protect the policy through implementation and ensure it delivers real emissions reductions while supporting workers and communities through the transition.

Raphaël Héliot from E-Mobility Europe captured the urgency. "The time for debate is over: lawmakers, industry and civil society must now come together to implement the ETS2," he said, adding that delays risk undermining both climate goals and Europe's competitive edge in the global clean economy.

When the people writing the checks are the ones demanding climate action, that's a signal worth paying attention to.