As a result of the European elections concluded yesterday, the two traditional major parties of the social democrats and conservatives will no longer have a majority in the European Parliament. However, given the large support from voters for parties that have put climate action forward as a priority, there is a large majority of parties that now need to put climate action first and work together to tackle the climate emergency.
In reaction to the results of the European elections, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:
“European citizens expect the EU to act on climate change. We now need a broad alliance of political parties, including liberals and conservatives, that recognise the climate emergency and the urgency to act. This starts with ensuring that EU climate policies and targets are in line with the commitment of the Paris Agreement to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C and protect European citizens from devastating climate impacts.”
Conservative parties have for too long ignored the need to tackle climate change, as shown in the ranking of EU political groups and national parties published by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe last month.
Earlier this month, a broad Coalition representing hundreds of European cities, regions, businesses, youth and faith groups and civil society organisations urged all new MEPs, new European Commission and all EU governments to greatly increase the EU’s action to combat climate change. Stakeholders developed a joint blueprint – a Climate Action Call – with five demands to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.
ENDS
Ania Drazkiewicz, CAN Europe Head of Communications, ania@caneurope.org, +32 494 525 738
Notes
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 160 member organisations from 35 European countries, representing over 1.700 NGOs and more than 47 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.
