ECOS’ Post

Sign The European Pact for the Future: A Green and Social Deal for a One-Planet Economy 🌍 The European Environmental Bureau invites you to support the European Pact for the Future, a vision for the next five years developed in dialogue with civil society, social partners, youth, think tanks, and progressive businesses in Europe. This new set of priorities creates an agenda of hope and reconnects people to the European Project. It also provides an enabling environment for progressive business in Europe. The Pact has already been signed by over 200 organizations, including businesses and vast civil society networks from the social sector, and numbers are growing fast. ✨ Embrace the vision of living well within planetary boundaries. 🚀 Fast-track towards a one-planet Economy. 💪 Promote a Just Transition. 🤝 Show Solidarity & Embrace Responsibilities. 📜 Implement commitments. Our choices today will shape the future. We would like you to read The Pact at https://lnkd.in/dxyY76uH and, if you agree, sign up https://lnkd.in/e79wRW85 as an organization or an individual to show your support

The Crucial Role of Voting for a Sustainable Future 🌱 2024 is shaping up to be a historic year for global democracy, with elections scheduled in over 60 countries, representing nearly half the world's population. This is an unprecedented opportunity for billions of people to influence the future of their nations and, by extension, the planet. As we head to the polls, it’s essential to remember that our votes are more than just choices for political leadership, they are powerful tools for shaping sustainable and healthy futures for our communities and the world. Why Our Vote Matters? 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: See how leaders intend to commit tackling climate change, preserving natural resources, and promoting renewable energy. Countries like India, Indonesia, and the EU, which are having significant elections this year, are at the forefront of implementing policies that could drastically impact global environmental outcomes. 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: Assess how candidates prioritize healthcare access, pandemic preparedness, and the wellbeing of all citizens. The pandemic has shown us the importance of strong healthcare systems, which many nations are focusing on in their electoral agendas. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠: Evaluate how leaders advocate for social equity, education, and economic opportunities for all. Upcoming elections in diverse regions, from Latin America to Africa, present a chance to address these critical issues as well as the EU countries with the introduction of the new sustainability regulations #CSRD and addressed through #ESRS. As we prepare to vote, we can consider the long-term impacts of our choices. By electing leaders who are dedicated to sustainable development and human wellbeing, we can collectively steer our planet towards a brighter, more resilient future. 🌍 https://lnkd.in/dytvrtqX #sustainability #publichealth #wellbeing #democracy

🌍 Champion a Green, Social, and Industrial Deal!  As European leaders, you hold the key to shaping the future of our continent. Protectors of Climate and Nature continue to be a strong voice of progress in Europe, and we need your decisive leadership now more than ever. The intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution affect people across all nations—this is not a partisan issue but a collective responsibility. 📊 With 84% of Europeans supporting EU action, the mandate from our citizens is clear: we need a Green and Social Deal fit for a one-planet economy—a new European Pact for the Future. 🟢 The upcoming Political Guidelines must reflect the urgency and scale of these challenges. European leaders must take responsibility, build on the achievements of the Green Deal, and ensure a future of climate neutrality, zero pollution, and thriving ecosystems. By committing to stronger, immediate action, you can help secure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Europeans. This comprehensive approach will not only address environmental challenges but also enhance economic resilience, create jobs, and promote social equity across Europe. Join us in endorsing the Pact and leading Europe towards a sustainable, thriving future. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhEAQVFa #EUPact4Future   European Environmental Bureau

🌍 Champion a Green, Social, and Industrial Deal! As European leaders, you hold the key to shaping the future of our continent. Protectors of Climate and Nature continue to be a strong voice of progress in Europe, and we need your decisive leadership now more than ever. The intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution affect people across all nations—this is not a partisan issue but a collective responsibility. 📊 With 84% of Europeans supporting EU action, the mandate from our citizens is clear: we need a Green and Social Deal fit for a one-planet economy—a new European Pact for the Future. 🟢 The upcoming Political Guidelines must reflect the urgency and scale of these challenges. European leaders must take responsibility, build on the achievements of the Green Deal, and ensure a future of climate neutrality, zero pollution, and thriving ecosystems. By committing to stronger, immediate action, you can help secure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Europeans. This comprehensive approach will not only address environmental challenges but also enhance economic resilience, create jobs, and promote social equity across Europe. Join us in endorsing the Pact and leading Europe towards a sustainable, thriving future. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dxyY76uH #EUPact4Future 

Promoting the #circulareconomy & the #righttorepair means ➕ more green jobs in Europe & economic savings for European consumers ➖ less emissions, resource waste, import dependecies from third countries 👇 We need a Green and Social Deal for a one-planet economy #EUpact4future

🌍 Berlin Climate Talks: Urgent Need for a New Collective Climate Goal for 2025 🌍 Attending the #BerlinClimateTalks organized by Klima-Allianz Deutschland was both insightful and pressing. A clear takeaway was that we urgently need to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG25) that is fair, needs-based, and anchored in *global justice*. The climate crisis demands more ambitious commitments than ever before. Dr. Dagmar Pruin, President of Brot für die Welt, captured the urgency in her speech: "When we discuss climate finance, we don’t just discuss figures – we discuss human lives." Extreme weather events are becoming the norm, even in Europe. The data is clear – the climate crisis is here, and the poorest communities are bearing the highest burden. Without urgent action, the number of displaced people will continue to rise. We need funding that meets the scale of this challenge. Germany and the EU must lead by example, setting a high bar so others can follow. A special thanks to climate activist Hamira Kobusingye from Uganda, who held Germany accountable, calling for more funds for loss and damage. Uganda is severely impacted by climate change, and it's crucial that developed nations step up to meet their responsibilities. At SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit, these discussions resonate deeply. Sufficient climate financing for the Global South is crucial to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society – children. Without this support, the futures of millions are at serious risk. #BerlinClimateTalks #ClimateCrisis #ClimateFinance #NCQG25 #GlobalJustice #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #ClimateChange #LossAndDamage #ClimateJustice #HumanRights #GlobalSouth #FairClimateGoals #ActOnClimate #DisplacedCommunities #EnvironmentalJustice Christian NeusserLara PrölßRegina StiebenLanna Idriss

Dear friends and colleagues,   Summer seems to finally have reached Brussels, I hope everyone who lives here found some time to enjoy the sunshine!    Today the European Council has nominated Ursula von der Leyen to continue leading the Commission, as well as Antonio Costa as President of the European Council and Kaja Kallas as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Next week the European Parliament will decide when to hold the vote on the election of the Commission President, likely during their constitutive plenary session on 18 July. As I mentioned in a recent Euractiv event, I believe the new mandate will bring new and fruitful synergies between climate action and economic modernisation, with a focus on competitiveness and industry.   This week, the Commission approved the investment of almost 3 billion euros in 39 energy projects for cleaner energy systems in 10 Member States under the Modernisation Fund. This is the largest disbursement of the Fund to date and proves just how seriously and urgently we are taking our climate and energy targets.    I could experience firsthand the impact of these investments on the ground when I travelled to Bulgaria this week together with DG ENER’s Matthew Baldwin. I met with policymakers, industry associations, companies, trade unions, and NGOs to discuss the challenges and opportunities for industry decarbonisation and how to ensure a just and fair transition. While the transition in Bulgaria, notably for the energy sector, is challenging, I am encouraged by the frank and constructive exchanges. All interlocutors recognised that there is no alternative to decarbonising and greening; the question is how and how quickly to do this.    In all conversations, the climate transition’s social fairness and affordability are recurrent themes. It points to the importance of getting the Social Climate Fund ready in time for its kick off in 2026. The Social Climate Fund, with at least 86 billion euros, will provide innovative measures to address energy and transport poverty so that vulnerable households and micro-enterprises benefit from the transition. Its implementation should also accelerate the market deployment of clean technologies, such as electric vehicles or heat pumps. It is good to see that Member States are now advancing with the preparation of their Social Climate Plans, due by June 2025, but there is still plenty of work – and innovation - ahead.   Also this week, the Valencia Climate City Week was an occasion to reaffirm the crucial role of cities in our path towards climate neutrality and resilience. The Commission launched a new Climate City Capital Hub to support cities in financing their adaptation and mitigation plans. The Capital Hub is linked with the EU Missions on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and on Climate Adaptation, and will increase the funds available to cities by attracting private investments.    Enjoy the sunshine, Kurt 

Following the results of the European elections, we have to make sure that Europe is not losing track towards the implementation of the Green Deal. This will ultimately happen locally. Local Governments will therefore have to play a key role in this process. They need to claim their space in the multi-level decision-making process to co-shape the conditions for their hard work to make things happen.

"The European multilevel governance system offers one way to tackle climate dystopia and have a meaningful impact on climate change. While more and more people grow weary of the European Union (EU) and national politics, local governments, as the level closest to citizens, still enjoy high trust rates among them. Over the past year, doors have opened for local governments to have a seat at the decision-making tables. Now, it is time for local governments to walk through those open doors, take more responsibility, and be equipped with the financial and political power to do so." In a recent Op-Ed in Open Access Government, Regional Director at ICLEI Europe Wolfgang Teubner, speaks of making use of our multilevel system for a #democratic, #sustainable and #resilient future with the #EUGreenDeal. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eShw5P7J Valeria Eirin

Pleased to attend the Committee of the Regions (CoR) stakeholder consultation on the 'Future of EU Climate Policy: aligning mitigation targets and adaptation challenges' on 13th June organised by Markku Markkula. Good speakers and an interesting discussion on a topic that may have a more political dimension following the recent EU and some national elections. Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world and climate and environmental crises (too much or not enough water) risk deepening existing regional inequalities. The CoR Green Deal 2.0 report https://lnkd.in/e3iK5sX8 recommends that future policy 'must include concrete policies and supporting instruments to enable the development and transition of local and regional economies, reduce disparities across EU cities and regions and promote the creation of regional innovation ecosystems...in order to stimulate green innovation, social inclusion and thriving economies.' Why reinvent the wheel? This place-based approach could be integrated into smart specialisation strategies, many of which have already migrated to S4 - to include sustainability. #smart #climate #regions