We encourage you to reach out to the newly elected Members of the European Parliament and urge them to make climate action a priority. They must work towards an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) from the European Union, to be submitted to the UNFCCC in 2025.
To help amplify our collective voice, please use the following letter template to contact your representative and advocate for prioritized climate action.
You can read the letter below and access this webpage (link) to follow the instructions on how to send the letter to the European Parliament.
June 2024
Subject: Urgent call for more ambitious climate commitments and robust global engagement of the new European Parliament for the 2024-2029 period.
Dear Honorable Member of the European Parliament,
As you commence your role at a crucial time for Europe, the period of 2024-2029 stands as a pivotal phase for establishing the direction of the European Union’s environmental and climate policy. This period is essential not only for meeting immediate challenges but also for setting ambitious objectives that will enable us to reach our emissions reduction goals for 2030 and 2040. As a Climate Reality Leader, trained by former Vice President Al Gore, and representing a diverse network of people across Europe, I emphasize the importance of your leadership in navigating the complex socio-economic landscape through ambitious climate policies.
The European Green Deal has already charted a path towards a climate-neutral, green, fair, and socially inclusive Europe. To build on this foundation, I urge you to:
Set a More Ambitious 2040 Target: We urge you to advocate for reaching net zero emissions by 2040. This target should explicitly include a just transition plan and phase-out dates for all fossil fuels and minimize reliance on unreliable solutions, like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
Increase Climate Finance: It is critical that the EU substantially increase its climate finance contributions to support decarbonization in Global South countries. Ambition of contributions and finance mobilization will need to grow significantly to meet global needs, and can be achieved through international, European, and Member State actions such as fossil fuel windfall taxes, shifting fossil fuel subsidies, reforming European and global financial architecture, and closing wasteful loopholes.
Submit an Ambitious NDC Plan: Ahead of the February 2025 deadline, submit a robust Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) registry. This NDC should contain a 2035 emissions reduction target in line with a pathway to net zero by 2040 to reflect the European Union's “fair share” responsibility of climate action towards holding global average temperature rise below 1.5ºC.
The 2024-2029 strategic agenda must be bold and holistic, addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, socio-economic inequality, and global instability. With the potential for priorities to shift towards immediate concerns such as regional security and enhancing competitiveness, there is a risk that climate action could be sidelined. As the newly appointed stewards of Europe's policy direction, you hold the significant responsibility of ensuring that these urgent priorities do not eclipse the fundamental challenge of climate change, which has far-reaching and dramatic consequences. Your leadership is crucial in maintaining a balance that not only addresses immediate needs but also safeguards the sustainability of our continent and the well-being of our planet.
Respectfully,
Your Signature