Europe is at a crossroads. Political pressure to delay or mitigate environmental measures is constantly undermining the ambitious direction of the European Green Deal. Creators policies are increasingly shifting their focus to short-term priorities such as strengthening industrial competitiveness, economic growth and expanding defence capabilities. Initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal, proposals to shift research towards military applications and the emphasis on a competitive bioeconomy signal this shift. While economic and military security are important components of a resilient Europe, they must not come at the expense of climate ambition. Climate action not only supports long-term resilience, but also brings significant economic benefits, while the costs of inaction are much higher.

This is a moment for political clarity and courage. Climate change is not a distant threat – it is already destabilizing livelihoods and communities across Europe and beyond. A realistic vision of security must therefore go beyond growth and defense.It must include climate resilience, social justice, and the ability to live well within planetary boundaries. This is the very foundation of lasting peace and democratic resilience.

Research from the EU 1.5° LIFESTYLES project shows that Systemic transformation is not only necessary but also widely supportedCitizens are ready and stakeholders are demanding ambitious changes – if political leadership dares to support them on this path. Structural reforms, lifestyle changes and technological innovations must be pursued together.

Citizens are more ready for change than political discourse often suggests. In all countries surveyed, individuals expressed a strong desire for clear political leadership and regulatory guidance. They expect policy frameworks that are effective, ensure fairness, and fairly distribute the burdens (e.g. economic and social costs) and benefits of transformation. Public support is highest when regulations are universal and perceived as fairCitizens understand that voluntary changes alone will not be enough; they call on public institutions to intervene decisively.

Climate policy must therefore go beyond incentives and rely on robust regulatory interventions that target high-emission activities. These include fossil fuel cars, excessive meat consumption, non-renewable heating and energy systems, luxury consumption and flying. These interventions enable low-carbon lifestyles. Current European Commission initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal, the Circular Economy Act and the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator, focus primarily on technological pathways and market competitiveness. However, research shows that these fail to address the broader structural and social changes needed to shift consumption patterns. Our research shows that At best, technology can only cover a little over half of the necessary emission reductions, the rest must come from changes in consumption.

The EU 1.5° LIFESTYLES project therefore offers the following policy recommendations to fill this gap:

• Integrating lifestyle change into climate strategies and regulations: Policymaking must focus on high-impact consumption activities in national long-term climate strategies and legally binding frameworks.
• Supporting citizens' shift towards low-carbon lifestyles through policy and infrastructure: Citizens need functional and reliable systems that make sustainable lifestyle choices accessible, affordable and the default. This includes, for example, better public transport, more energy-efficient housing and healthy, sustainable food systems.
• Anchoring regulation in justice: Regulation should be seen not only as a means of ensuring a level playing field, but also as enabler of a more sustainable lifestyleMarket fairness, including in terms of fair sharing of responsibility for emissions and transition costs, is a cornerstone of public acceptance.
• Promoting consistency and political courage: Public trust is eroded when policy directions are inconsistent, distorted or weakened. Maintaining a consistent and ambitious climate policy is essential to sustaining public engagement and momentum.
• Reframing well-being beyond economic growth: A successful transformation must prioritize community health, equity, and resilience. Collective provision models such as public services and cooperative ownership can support high well-being with a lower environmental footprint. In the future, growth must come from sectors and activities that actively support climate and sustainability goals.
• Ensuring democratic legitimacy: Broad societal support requires inclusive governance. This means listening not only to the loudest voices, but also to those who are often excluded from decision-making – especially marginalized and low-income groups. Mandated, inclusive and transparent citizens’ assemblies, as well as broad coalitions of stakeholders, can counter populist tendencies and the power of vested interests tied to the unsustainable status quo.

Weakening environmental regulations at this stage will undermine both the climate transition and citizens’ trust in political institutions. Instead, by embracing comprehensive structural change and harnessing public readiness for a just transition, can the EU strengthen its leadership and lay the foundations for a resilient, climate-neutral future.

The EU 1.5° LIFESTYLES project analysed opportunities and constraints for an impactful lifestyle change in five European countries and at EU level, drawing on citizen and stakeholder engagement. The report ‘Effective Options for a Transition to 1.5° Lifestyles at the Household Level’ highlights how structural measures significantly increase the uptake of lifestyle changes and shows that these changes bring tangible co-benefits for individuals and communities. The project’s collection of policy reports provides details on how to implement a just transition to sustainable lifestyles.

The EU 1.5° LIFESTYLES consortium includes ten research partners (universities, research institutions, businesses and NGOs) from Germany, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. Spring