The Guild statement calls for investment in sustainability research as a strategic priority for the EU

In a statement published on 25 September 2026, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities stresses that the EU’s growing focus on prosperity, resilience and security must include continued investment in sustainability and climate research to address Europe's urgent interconnected environmental, societal and economic challenges.

While the Guild sees current EU policy debates, including those on FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), as sometimes being framed as requiring trade-offs between competitiveness, sustainability and environmental protection, the association insists that the EU’s long-term prosperity depends on its ability to address climate change, biodiversity loss, resource security and societal resilience together. The Guild therefore regards continued investment in sustainability research as essential to generate the knowledge and evidence needed to tackle Europe’s interconnected challenges.

In its statement, the Guild highlights the following main points:

1. Climate research plays a critical role in saving lives and boosting the economy
   As extreme climate-related events, including wildfires, heatwaves and floods, occur with increasing frequency, climate research provides essential knowledge to anticipate, mitigate and respond to their impacts, including saving lives and reducing economic losses.
2. Climate and sustainability research provides the knowledge needed not only to anticipate and respond to immediate risks, but also to address their structural causes
   While preparedness and adaptation are essential, sustainability research must also support preventive approaches that address the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change, reducing risks before they materialise.
3. Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (SSAH) play a fundamental role in supporting the transition
   Effective responses also depend on understanding societal, behavioural, economic, political and governance dimensions, generating the evidence needed to support a socially acceptable, economically viable and just transition.
4. Climate research should be recognised as a key instrument of EU global cooperation
   Given the disproportionate impact of climate change on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), climate research is a key instrument of EU global cooperation, including through the Global Gateway’s focus on climate and energy (second pillar), and on education and research (fifth pillar). The EU should especially strengthen international research collaboration and equitable partnerships, with greater attention to climate justice as well as the needs and specific contexts of its partners.

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The Guild - news

The Guild statement: Investing in sustainability research for a competitive and resilient Europe