ClientEarth’s Post

Big reshuffle at the Commission: In the intricate tapestry of European policy, a series of pivotal developments are orchestrating the course of climate action and green policies within the European Union. These unfolding events hold the potential to reshape the trajectory of environmental sustainability, sparking debates and speculations about the future of climate governance.    Central to these developments is [...]

The appointment of Wopke Hoekstra as the Climate Commissioner raises legitimate concerns about the direction of Europe's climate policy.As concerned citizens and environmental advocates, we must raise our voices against the potential appointment of Wopke Hoekstra as the Climate Commissioner. We need a leader who will prioritise science-based, proven methods for mitigating climate change, not someone with ties to the fossil fuel industry and a penchant for unproven technologies. We urge European leaders to carefully consider the implications of this appointment and ensure that climate action remains a top priority. Our planet's future depends on it, and we cannot afford to make decisions that jeopardise our commitment to a sustainable and habitable world. POW Europe was one of many concerned climate NGOs who have sent an open letter to President von der Leyen and Vice President Šefčovič voicing these concerns from our community. Read more about our concerns on the latest blogarticle: https://lnkd.in/eS-K29_T #EU #climatepolicy #hoekstra #concerns #blog

Europe's Green Agenda Under Siege https://bit.ly/44HQGFw Right-wing populist politicians are on the rise in Europe, driven in part by rising inflation and also their ability to tap into public opposition to certain environmental policies, including on cost grounds. This probably won’t derail EU climate policy, where after a marathon policymaking effort, most key legislation is now nearing finalization. But as traditional conservatives increasingly have to compete against right-wing populists, this is already dampening enthusiasm for new green policies and upping ambition... Read more >> https://bit.ly/44HQGFw #energytransition #greendeal #energypolicy #lowcarbonpolicy #climatepolicy #decarbonization

Today in the ground-breaking case of Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland (Application no. 53600/20) the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights held by a majority of 16 to 1 that the Article 8 Convention right (the right to respect for private and family life) includes a positive obligation on the State to ensure that there is effective protection in place to protect from serious adverse effects of climate change on an individual’s life, health, well-being and quality of life. This judgment is binding on all States that are party to the Convention - which includes the United Kingdom (and Jersey). It will be interesting to see how States will adapt to ensure compliance with their Article 8 positive obligations with regards to climate change. The judgment has potentially far reaching implications and might impact anything from planning policies to carbon targets. You can access the full judgment here: https://lnkd.in/esFgSUMA

Mainstream conservatism needs to come back to the good side: "But the #assault underway on Europe’s #climate #strategy would be unthinkable were it not for middle-of-the-road #conservative #parties, many of which previously stood behind environmental legislation. For example, the European Parliament’s conservative European People’s Party, once an advocate of rigorous #climate #policies, recently voted with the #hard #right to scale back new standards for commercial farming and vehicle emissions and to weaken a law to restore nature. Today, conservatives across the region believe there’s more to be won #obstructing climate policies alongside the hard right than supporting them. In the longer term, they have nothing to win and much to lose in obstructing the hard-won progress in Europe on climate protection. A 2022 study found that mainstream parties’ adoption of more authoritarian-nationalist positions doesn’t curb the hard right but strengthens it. There’s plenty of room for establishment conservatives to make a fundamentally conservative case for the Green Deal and other environmental policies, such as the #protection of #biodiversity. Christian conservatives could, as Pope Francis does, drive home the point that this planet and all of its inhabitants are God’s creation, that humans have no permit to ravage. The idea that we must act with #future #generations in mind, rather than just in our own immediate interest, is thoroughly conservative. If conservatives feel that Europe’s climate action is flawed, then they have to do it better, not assign themselves to irrelevance by protesting from the sidelines. And, lastly, conservatives should come to grips with the fact that #climate #breakdown is #already changing our lives and will do so more palpably as temperatures creep up. If we #act #now, we can soften and adapt to those changes rather than suffer through them. One way or another, change is coming: The more we manage now, the less we and our children will have to in the future."

Climate solutions by and for all! 📢 With the example of two Citizen Assemblies in Ireland and France, Eimer Conlon explores the ins and outs of the new governance structure which involves citizens adopting new recommendations in polarised societies. 🗺️ bit.ly/TSPoCA

The European Union's new Green Deal has set ambitious goals and green initiatives that have sparked discontent in far-right governments, particularly in Italy and Germany. However, it's important to note that effective climate action goes beyond just regulations. It requires incentives, collaboration, and public understanding. In a recent article in POLITICO, Rasmus Grand Berthelsen, Director at Rasmussen Global Nordics, provides valuable insights on how to preserve the Green Deal amidst this growing discontent. He emphasizes the need for behavioural change, industrial cooperation, and public awareness to make the transition towards a sustainable future a reality. So let's unite and support these efforts by working towards a greener and more sustainable world. 🌏🤝 Read the full article below 👇 #ClimateAction #EU #GreenDeal #Sustainability #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalLeadership

January 16 marks the end of the first informal meeting of environment ministers, under the BE presidency. During this informal Council, the Belgian Presidency highlighted the means to be implemented to strengthen the EU's role in 3 priority areas: ✊ Adaptation and resilience ♻ Circular economy 🚻 Just transition The discussions also covered the future of the EU's climate policy. These issues, which are vital for our planet, our health and our FPS, will shape the work of our Presidency and future Councils. ➡ For a quick overview of the first informal Environment Council, visit the website of the presidency : https://lnkd.in/eSY6NFaE

In 2019, #climate took center stage at the European elections with the introduction of the ambitious environmental roadmap, the Green Deal. It aims to reduce EU #emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), reaching 90% in 2040 and #carbon neutrality by 2050. Far-right parties, known for climate denialism, have gained popularity over recent years, with an especially strong performance at the European parliamentary elections in June 2024. The unexpectedly strong showing of a French opposition party, National Rally, at the EU level, prompted French President Macron to call a snap French election. National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen, is honing the following political narrative: • French citizens are suffering diminished lifestyles because of environmental policies • These policies are imposed on them by the urban bobo-écolo (bourgeois-bohemian ecology) ideology of Europe's elites •Decisions should be decentralized away from metropolitan areas to counter elite control, giving a stronger political say to rural populations and farmers significantly affected by the Green Deal. Scientists and climate advocates are concerned by the rise of climate skepticism across Europe and the accompanying risks to science-based policymaking. For example, Le Pen wants to dismantle parts of the Green Deal, including the ban on new petrol vehicle sales, progress on #nature restoration, and the large-scale rollout of renewable energy projects. The EU, counting 450 million inhabitants, is the global leader in climate action and has long shaped how the rest of the world responds. A retreat from green commitments in Europe, alongside a likely Trump victory in the US election in November, is likely to weaken global initiatives to mitigate and adapt to #climatechange.

Switzerland's Climate Concerns: A Public Rally and Its Implications 🇨🇭 Switzerland, known for its picturesque landscapes, is at the forefront of a major climate movement. Over 60,000 protesters in Bern have highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, especially in light of the country's rapidly diminishing glaciers. As the Oct. 22 legislative elections approach, the Green Party and environmental organizations like Greenpeace are advocating for more aggressive environmental policies. Dive into our comprehensive article to understand the nuances of Switzerland's climate stance and its potential ripple effect on global environmental strategies. #SwitzerlandClimateRally #GlobalClimateAction #ElectionImplications #Swiss #Switzerland #ClimateChange #Environment #Support #News #Trends https://lnkd.in/dXqnb9sA