A new initiative by the “Institute of Sustainable Development and International Relations” (IDDRI), the Centre for European and Policy Studies (CEPS) and the Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) will take up the challenge to discuss with key policymakers and selected stakeholders the costs and benefits of pursuing the EU ‘climate leadership’ with a particular view to designing both politically and economically viable mid- and long-term strategies. The “European Dialogue” will focus particularly on removing barriers and overcoming obstacles towards more stringent targets and thereby allow the EU to continue leadership. Key obstacles that the Dialogue will address are other policies to complement the carbon price and to address non-ETS sectors, intra-EU equity concerns especially in relationship to the new EU member states (EU-12), international finance and technology. The top level in governments, parliaments, industries, financial institutions or academic will be able to closely interact and bring together their valuable knowledge and experience for the concretisation of the EU climate and energy policy.