Dear President, dear Vice Presidents and Commissioners,
The European Union is once again confronted with a severe energy crisis, driven by war and the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with direct consequences for global fossil fuel markets. The first days of the current crisis have already imposed significant additional costs on European economies and citizens, further exacerbating cost-of-living pressures and energy insecurity and cost € billions in additional energy imports.
The time has come to put an end to the structural vulnerabilities of Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels. A robust, EU-level windfall profit mechanism would not only ensure fairness in times of crisis but also reinforce public trust by demonstrating that extraordinary profits are being redirected towards the common good.
The European Grandparents for Climate urge the European Commission and Member States to act swiftly and decisively, and to take into account the recommendations in the Joint letter calling for an EU wide Windfall Mechanism from 130 NGOs ahead of the package of measures to tackle the energy crisis, to be unveiled on 22 April 2026, as well as ahead of the informal European Council on 23–24 April 2026.
Yours sincerely,
Godela von Kirchbach and Eva Riemer, Co-chairs
This letter was sent to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and to Commissioners Ribera, Hoekstra, Jørgensen and Dombrovskis