In an unprecedented Climate Action Call published today, a broad and diverse coalition representing hundreds of cities, businesses, investors, scientists, faith groups and civil society organisations, including climate, human rights, litigation, citizens’ mobilization and sports groups urge European leaders to take decisive action to respond to the climate emergency and profoundly alter the way we run our societies and economies to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C
The Climate Action Call comes prior to the EU Heads of State and Government debate on the Future of Europe at the Sibiu summit on 9 May, and the European elections between 23 and 26 May. Climate change is expected to be a central issue in both the Future of Europe and elections debates, as it has climbed up on the priority list of European citizens, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to demand stronger action from politicians.
Signatories of the Climate Action Call believe that to respond to the public mobilization, current EU leaders and candidates in the elections need to publicly commit to make climate action a top priority for Europe during both the Future of Europe and elections debates. The Climate Action Call spells out five specific steps the new European Parliament, the new European Commission and all EU Member State governments need to take to act on climate change:
1. Commit to accelerate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions as soon as possible.
2. Plan the end of the use of fossil fuels and provide strong support to energy efficiency, renewable energy and emission cuts outside the energy sector.
3. Safeguard a just and fair transition and ensure that the EU increases its support to developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
4. Increase efforts to roll out the circular economy and increase resource efficiency.
5. Recognise biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration as a crucial component of climate action.
The signatories include some of Europe’s largest city networks, most influential business groups, leading investors organisations , well-known European research institutes, and largest European NGO coalition on climate and energy.