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This week shows that the power of the Outdoor Community to take political action has never been more critical than it is now. And POW and its allies are ready for the challenge. A huge thanks to the brands, athletes and NGOs that joined our EU Election campaign, and to you, the outdoor community that got out to vote. But we need to remember that this election was never going to be the summit push, the end of the journey. Climate action is an ongoing struggle, and we have work still to do and a long way to climb. The results of the election are mixed; with northern countries Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands voting progressively, with climate and environment-positive parties taking control. In the largest countries, the news was not so good. Vote share in Italy and Germany moved to the right, and in Austria and France the far right. The EPP and their traditional coalition with Renew and S&D can retain power, although with a diminished majority. And this can keep the critical EU Green Deal alive, but under threat. So, our route to the summit just got harder, there is a storm approaching and the terrain may be tougher than we hoped for. But the outdoor community is no stranger to challenge. We know how to keep pushing, not give up and keep going until we reach the top. Together we can do this. Let’s go! #ridebikeclimbvote #euelections2024 #useyourvote European Commission European Parliament Photo (c) Calum Muskett

On the 4th of May 2024 the EU parliament opened its doors to the public as part of the Europe Day celebrations. Following an energising EU Greens Rally on Friday May the 3rd 2024 a plan was hatched to show visitors what democracy looks like. The western world is subsidizing fossil fuel with staggering amounts of money - in the EU this is estimated to be more than 1 billion Euros per day - about 404 billion Euros per year - subsidie and support for fossil fuels that slowly kill us. This money should be stopped flowing to fossil (who make staggering profits for their shareholders based on these subsidies) and be directed to fighting poverty and develop clean energy alternatives. With the EU elections coming up and with a threat of populist and extreme right parties further derailing climate and green action - an act of bravery - by young green activists - saved the Europe day. Many spectators applauded. Marc Angel - vice-president of the European Parliament - supported the act: 'Young activists keep us focussed on the threat of climate change'. The young activists were escorted out of the room and later handed over to the Belgium Police who handcuffed them and put them in jail for 6 hours. Outside Extinction Rebellion occupied the rear entrance with a road blokkade. This was an eventful and energetic day of European values and a show of democratic free speech. #choosecourage Keep up the good work: Young Greens Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament Marc Angel - Bas Eickhout - Petra De Sutter Saskia Bricmont - Extinction Rebellion NL Extinction Rebellion Scientist Rebellion Netherlands Scientist Rebellion Fossilfree advertising Fossielvrij NL 350.org Milieudefensie Greenpeace Nederland Greenpeace GroenLinks GroenLinks-PvdA Partij voor de Dieren The Left in the European Parliament European Commission European Parliament European Youth Parliament (EYP) more info: www.fyeg.org https://lnkd.in/dipdtuZp https://lnkd.in/dedh9CnM

As Europe wakes up to a new political reality, it's disappointing to see election results framed as a "greenlash". Is it really discontent towards green policies or are other issues momentarily taking precedence? To attribute the election outcomes solely to a backlash against environmental policies not only disregards the multifaceted nature of voter concerns but also undermines the ongoing support for sustainability that exists across the continent. When presented as 'greenlash', it's easy for businesses that are implementing - or considering implementing - sustainability in some way to lose motivation, down tools and feel that climate issues aren't still important. I guess I want to issue a rallying cry to the sports industry to not feel dismayed or demotivated. Instead, seize the opportunity to lead boldly in the fight against climate change. With their extensive reach, sports organisations can dramatically influence public and policy shifts towards sustainability. This is a crucial moment for the industry to demonstrate leadership and drive meaningful environmental actions. ⚽ 🌿 🌍 https://lnkd.in/efcP_TXe

📣 We are making history. We've blocked the streets in Brussels three times this year to demand what we deserve: A fossil-free future. 🌍Last month, activists in twelve European countries sounded the alarm bells with civil disobedience actions as part of a new Europe-wide campaign Stop EU Fossil Subsidies, taking place ahead of the Belgian and European elections in June (https://lnkd.in/evxw8zNz) 🔜 Now, hundreds of those activists will meet in Brussels, the capital of Europe, to escalate our action together. On May 4, will you join us to demand a fossil-free future? Click to learn more about the demands & how to join: https://lnkd.in/ej6-RQTP

Call for General Election Candidates With a General Election bearing down us at a rate of knots the Climate Party is actively seeking expressions of interest from possible General Election candidates. The Climate Party is a single issue pro-business pro-climate party focussed 100% on solving the climate crisis and ensuring Britain leads in the new clean industrial revolution bringing prosperity to British people in the 2030s. Climate Party candidates are encouraged to hold their own views on all other issues and most particularly on all local issues. Effectively Climate Party candidates are independents who believe strongly in driving urgent climate action - very similar to the Teal independents who were so successful in the last general election in Australia. If you are independently minded but clear about the importance of urgent clmate action and the opportunity this brings for business then you may be a great candidate for the Climate Party. Please get in touch on info@theclimate.party. The Climate Party is especially interested in people with a profile in their local area - maybe you are a current councillor or a prominent local business person or professional, perhaps you have profile from sports, television or media, maybe you have stood in the past in general or council elections. In addition the Climate Party is also open to considering cooperation either with a) candidates who may wish to stand for two registered parties in the General Election (under electoral commission rules it is possible to stand for two parties and have both mentioned on the ballot paper through a joint description) and/or b) with any other registered party (including local parties) that may wish to consider fighting a joint campaign and supporting joint candidates. Please get in contact with the Climate Party now if you wish to express an interest in standing or discuss any other form of cooperation. Please write to info@theclimate.party #ClimateElection #generalelection #candidate #councillor #independentgroup #independent #lga #conservativeparty #labourparty #greenparty #climatecrisis #climateopportunity #cleantech #decarbonisation #2030 #netzero

📢 CLEW Dispatch from Poland The EU elections in June are hardly a topic in Poland (yet) due to a lot of political turmoil in recent weeks and another election ahead: local and regional votes across the country. CLEW contributor Patryk Strzałkowski looks at what happened and what's next on Polish climate and energy from the capital Warsaw this week. Patryk says differences on climate and environment policy within the new coalition marked the first two months of Donald Tusk’s government. One deputy minister argued that Poland should “embrace” the European Commission’s proposal for a bloc-wide 90 percent emissions reduction target for 2040, while another called the EU Green Deal a “dark nightmare” for Poland’s agriculture. The coalition also has to deal with protesting farmers and possibly also coal miners, once the much-anticipated clean energy strategies get published. CLEW's weekly Dispatches provide an overview relevant not only for anyone covering the #energytransition but also all those who need to be aware of what's coming in the weeks ahead. You can sign up here for future newsletters: https://lnkd.in/deH7TURc And drop us a line if you've missed this week's Poland edition.

🌿🇮🇪 Ireland may become the first EU country to recognize the Rights of Nature in its Constitution! On December 15th, 2023, the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action recommended advancing a referendum to enshrine the rights of nature into the national constitution, making Ireland a trailblazer in the EU. If approved, nature would be granted rights comparable to those of people, aligning with the global Rights of Nature movement that seeks recognition for elements like trees, mountains, and rivers as entities with the right to exist, flourish, and be protected. This echoes similar steps taken by countries like New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Let's applaud this significant step and look forward to Ireland potentially becoming the first EU country to constitutionally recognize the rights of nature. 👏 #NatureRights

Next year will be a very important moment for Europe and young people. 📢 Therefore we are looking for organisations, AEGEE Locals or other youth workers and volunteers, willing to encourage others to participate in the 2024 European Elections or use their voice to discuss issues relevant to them. If you are interested, start your Y Vote local action NOW! How? 🤔 ✅find some friends/colleagues or take the initiative yourself ✅think of a topic that interests you; it can be anything, from fighting climate change to promoting the importance of voting. ✅choose a simple activity, maybe a workshop, a treasure hunt or a pub quiz. ✅bring Y Vote to your city! Fill out the form on our website: https://lnkd.in/dgfBrJWb. ❓ You don’t know what you want to organise? We can help you! Write your name and email in the form and we will contact you to brainstorm together.  🙌Do you want your AEGEE Local or organisation to participate? Then tag them in the comments! #YVote #YVoteLocalActions #YVoteinYourCity #EP2024 #EU2024

This weekend’s European Union elections marked the end of the bloc’s greenest parliament ever after concerns over everything from climate policies to migration gave the populists a boost. The Greens, whose rise five years ago helped the 27-nation bloc embrace the world’s most ambitious climate strategy, emerged in all but tatters from a ballot that ended on Sunday. The results won’t topple the Green Deal. The mainstream parties that supported the sweeping plan to decarbonize the bloc’s economy retained a majority. But they risk weakening the resolve of governments when they turn the policy into reality through measures that will affect households from Lisbon to Helsinki. There will also likely be some bickering among new lawmakers over future measures to meet the net zero target. “The Green Deal will stay alive but not necessarily kicking,” said Maximo Miccinilli, head of energy and climate at the consultant firm FleishmanHillard EU. “The EU should be able to defend measures that were already adopted for this decade but proposals for a new goal for 2040 will be a huge test for the new parliament.” Governments across the continent and the EU leadership in Brussels have already come under pressure to soften their ambition as discontent over green policies sparked protests and added to worries about rising costs of living and migration. The most difficult steps to meet the EU’s ambitious 2030 climate goal of cutting greenhouse gases by 55% from 1990 levels are yet to be implemented. In 2027, the EU is due to launch a new carbon market for heating and transport fuels, a move that will impact consumers. By 2035, all new passenger cars will have to be emissions-free, effectively one step closer to sending the combustion engine to the museum. “Populist parties have unfortunately gained too much ground” and “only fairer policies” and “better listening to citizens are the solution to polarization,” said Laurence Tubiana, chief executive of the European Climate Foundation. “I refuse to give in to fatalism. There can be no solving the cost of living crisis, security or competitiveness without ecological transition.” The biggest challenge for the EU will be to ensure financing for the green transition as economic growth remains sluggish and inflation sticky. By the EU’s own estimates, the continent needs to invest about €1.5 trillion per year over 2031-2050 in its energy and transport systems to reach net zero, with the bulk coming from private finance. That’s a surge from the €863 billion it spent on decarbonizing the sectors each year between 2011 and 2020. But the current biggest public source of funding for the green transition — a post-pandemic €750 billion recovery program — is nearing its end and nations are split over new potential financing tools, including issuing joint debt. The risk is that growing divisions in the new parliament will make it even more difficult for the EU to set a way forward on policies including budgets and climate.

Results of EU parliamentary elections are in, and green parties are facing a reckoning. Support for green parties is on the decline in many European countries, but according to Julio Friedmann, this is not the end of climate action in Europe: “The open question is what is the impact associated with this? I personally do not believe that we are going to see backsliding. I think the policies that exist are going to stay. Even though the Greens got hit pretty hard, the center left parties did pretty well. It is also the case that what people would call nationalist or far right parties gained ground. They do not have a majority. They did not dominate everything. It is true that it will make it harder to pass new laws.” [00:45] Read the full article below: