The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to review the Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts of the EU Taxonomy legislation. We strongly support the objectives of simplification, reduction of administrative burden, and alignment of Taxonomy with the EU’s industrial and climate ambitions. In this context, and with the intention of contributing to a more coherent and technology-neutral sustainable finance framework, we wish to suggest the following modifications. Remove the emission threshold and mandatory LCA requirements for geothermal technologies Create a coherent taxonomy category for geothermal heat pumps Clarify the scope of the “Manufacturing of renewable energy technologies” category Address practical challenges in DNSH criteria for DHC networks Read EGEC's full position

Following on from the European Union’s commitments to phase out energy imports from Russia, make energy affordable, boost industrial competitiveness, improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) insists that the European Commission must present an investment-orientated strategy and action plan to accelerate the deployment of all geothermal energy solutions. EGEC calls on the European Commission to publish a dedicated European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan in the first quarter of 2026. This echoes requests made by EU Energy Ministers (see the TTE Council Conclusions of 16 December 2024) and also by the European Parliament (Resolution on geothermal energy, adopted on 18 January 2024). Indeed, the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, has already confirmed (on 14 March 2025) that the Commission will present "an action plan on geothermal energy" before the end of March 2026. According to EGEC, the Commission’s proposal must include the following elements: An EU-wide target to reach 250 GW of geothermal capacity by 2040 covering all technologies. This will build on the 44 GW of installed capacity in the EU. A European Geothermal Charter, which codifies the 2040 target and launches the Geothermal Industrial Alliance to manage its delivery. Targeted European financial instruments to leverage private capital. Measures to make permitting processes more efficient and faster, as well as improving access to geological data. Sectoral or tripartite agreements with key energy consumers. Peer-to-peer guidance to help governments develop national and regional roadmaps to remove barriers, accelerate investments and build local supply chains. European instruments to support value chain development in local manufacturing and skilled professionals. The inclusion of geothermal energy as a central pillar of the EU’s Global Gateway and the Global Energy Transition Forum. Improvements to the collection and presentation of market data and statistics to enable better energy modelling. EGEC’s proposals are set out in a new policy document:The European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan - Making Europe competitive, secure and affordable Watch EGEC's webinar on the launch of its recommendations for the EU Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxUUaWHfuM8

You are invited to the launch of the European Geothermal Energy Council’s (EGEC) expectations for the European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan. The European Commission will publish the strategy and action plan in Q1 2026 alongside the Electrification Action Plan and the Heating and Cooling Strategy, which will aim to accelerate investment in affordable energy, electrification, and renewable heating and cooling, in order to improve Europe’s energy security and competitiveness. This discussion will provide a timely insight into the vital role geothermal must play in relation to energy security, affordability, competitiveness and meeting the EU's climate targets.. Programme: Welcome and introduction – Philippe Dumas (Secretary General, EGEC) EGEC’s priorities for a European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan – Sanjeev Kumar (Policy Director, EGEC) Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director General, DG Energy, European Commission (invited) Heymi Bahar, Senior Analyst – Renewable Energy Markets and Policy, International Energy Agency (confirmed) Davor Ivo Stier MEP, Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (confirmed) Nicolas Casares MEP, Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (invited) Q&A Register Now

The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to review the Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts of the EU Taxonomy legislation. We strongly support the objectives of simplification, reduction of administrative burden, and alignment of Taxonomy with the EU’s industrial and climate ambitions. In this context, and with the intention of contributing to a more coherent and technology-neutral sustainable finance framework, we wish to suggest the following modifications. Remove the emission threshold and mandatory LCA requirements for geothermal technologies Create a coherent taxonomy category for geothermal heat pumps Clarify the scope of the “Manufacturing of renewable energy technologies” category Address practical challenges in DNSH criteria for DHC networks   Read EGEC’S full position  

EGEC 's proposals for a European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan, published on 5 December 2025. 

With a letter to Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis, EGEC provided its answer to a call for feedback by the Platform on Sustainable Finance on the draft report on preliminary recommendations for the review of the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and additional technical screening criteria for the EU Taxonomy.