Greenpeace wants EU leaders to follow big business

European leaders are called to follow leading international companies in their push to advance a low-carbon economy, Greenpeace said.

The advocacy group applauded a decision from 11 companies, from IKEA to Philips, in their decision to push for a sustainable future.

"These companies know that their continued success depends on making better use of energy, having more secure sources for it and using the latest technologies to access it," Jorgo Riss, director of the European unit of Greenpeace, said in a statement Tuesday. "They are walking the walk in their own businesses."

The 11 companies said they're advocating an increase in the renewable energy footprint and improvements in energy efficiency by 40 percent each.

The European Union aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy on the grid by 20 percent of from a 1990 benchmark by 2020. Targets for 2030 were criticized for lacking ambition.

European leaders meet next week to review their climate agenda.