The CECILIA2050 project held its final conference, entitled "EU Climate Policy Beyond 2020 – Options for a Low-Carbon Future", on 30 June 2015 in Brussels (Belgium). This high-level event on the future of EU climate and energy policy presented insights and lessons-learned from the CECILIA2050 research project.

CECILIA2050 is a joint effort by ten prominent research institutions from eight European countries, which is currently in its final stage of work. Drawing from a comprehensive synthesis of project results, the conference agenda focused on options to optimise Europe's low-carbon policy mix for both the short and long terms, i.e., up until and after 2030, respectively.

Inputs from project consortium members were complemented by commentary from policy practitioners and fellow academics from a range of sectors and stakeholder groups, including the European Commission, Member States, the European Parliament, as well as industry and NGOs.

The EU has decided on climate targets for 2030; thus, the impetus is now on the efficient implementation of policy instruments to meet these goals. However, with the longer term goal of decarbonisation in mind, the EU must consider the implications of its next choices on the post-2030 options. The conference served as a topical forum to connect current research with the policy-making process, facilitate dialogue on the near and not-so-distant future of climate mitigation and highlight the insights and key messages of the CECILIA2050 project.