Over the next months, the European Union will be discussing new emissions reductions targets and energy targets from 2020 until 2030. EU ambition is very low at the moment. During the UN climate negotiations in Warsaw we called on the EU to ‘stop going around in circles, and to lead the way’. We need to put strong pressure on the EU and national governments to take ambitious climate action!
PRESS RELEASE
Today an action was staged outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, calling on President José Manuel Barroso to push Europe to take ambitious climate action in 2014.
Climate justice youth activists from Belgium, the Philippines, Slovakia, and Scotland wore chefs hats, false moustaches and aprons while holding the banner ‘Now remember – No energy savings or renewables in the mix if you want to cook the planet!”
This action is part of a co-ordinated push from NGOs and social movements across Europe calling on their leaders to set out an ambitious and coherent vision for the European Union’s climate policy post-2020 over the next few months.
Shenna Sanchez of the Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) and present at the action said, “We are showing President Barroso today that civil society across Europe is watching him closely to ensure that we see the type of climate leadership that the world needs from the European Union. He has the opportunity this month to ensure that the European Commission doesn’t lock in low ambition for Europe that fries the planet.”
The European Commission is currently drafting its white paper to be released in January 2014, which will form the basis of a policy proposal to member states deciding the European Union’s climate and energy targets from 2020 to 2030.
Krassina Demireva, co-spokesperson of FYEG added, “We as European youth demand a strong EU climate and energy package with targets for 2030 that reduce greenhouse gases at least 80% in line with science and Europe’s historical responsibility, drive forward more decentralised, people-owned renewable energy in Europe towards 100% and ensure Europeans use energy more efficiently.”
Youth climate campaigners from France, Germany and the UK have also called on President Barroso in an open letter published today in Euractiv, asking him “Is economic crisis, social crisis and climate crisis really your legacy to young people in Europe?”
The letter, signed by CliMates, Jugendbündnis Zukunftsenergie, the UK Youth Climate Coalition and Push Europe told Barroso, “Our future is our business. Stop listening to the vested interests that want to maintain the business as usual that is ruining opportunity for young people across Europe. Step up to your responsibility to ensure that Europe responds adequately to the failures we experience and the risks we face.”
Louisa Casson from the UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC) said, “The targets that European leaders will decide in 2014 can set Europe on the right pathway to a sustainable and fair society in 2030. Europe has the opportunity to move away from economic crisis and dirty fossil fuel industries, towards an economy that creates meaningful jobs at the heart of the transition to a clean, more democratic energy system in Europe. This is what young Europeans want to see from Barroso in his final months in office.”
Media contacts
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Louisa Casson, louisa@ukycc.org, +44 7825 894 188
Shenna Sanchez, shenna@fyeg.org, +32 471 22 33 19