Moment of truth for EU as over one million people and 100 NGOs call for green, healthy and just recovery

Over one million people and 100 environmental NGOs across Europe are calling on the European Union to restart its economy by launching the biggest green investment plan the world has ever seen, financed by the bloc’s increased budget and recovery instrument. Tomorrow [Friday], MEPs will decide what they want in the EU’s Recovery Fund and seven-year budget ahead of the European Commission’s much awaited proposal next week.

This press release was originally published on Transport&Environment by Eoin Bannon, Media Manager.

To date over 1.2 million people from across the world have joined campaigns at avaaz, WeMove Europe, and SumOfUs, supporting the call for a bold, green recovery in Europe.

Alongside, the Green 10 coalition of environmental organisations have organised an appeal urging lawmakers to design a green, healthy and just recovery with a fund investing hundreds of billions into home renovations, scaling up renewable energy, restoring natural habitats, boosting public transport and zero-emission mobility, and greening agriculture.

The environmental groups have stressed that all recovery plans must put people’s wellbeing at the heart of the crisis response, deliver social benefits and protect workers’ rights through a ‘just transition for all’. The NGOs and petitioners warn against EU and national governments bailing out polluting industries involved in sectors such as gas, oil and coal, chemicals, cars and airlines. Any stimulus investments must be conditional on companies’ alignment with social, environmental and climate objectives. The EU must improve the environmental safeguards of the next budget, dedicating at least 50% to climate and the environment and excluding all fossil fuel subsidies.

Green 10 letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen: Ensuring that the MFF 2021-27 and EU ‘recovery fund’ are consistent with the European Green Deal