Subject: 2024 EU Overshoot Day: Appeal to EU leaders to prioritise a fair and inclusive green transition in the next political mandate.<\/strong><\/p>\n Letter co-signed with WWF and more than 300 other signatories.<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n Dear Heads of State and Government, Today, 3 May 2024, the EU has used up nature\u2019s budget for the entire year. With just one month until the EU elections, we appeal to you to make a top political priority of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution given the devastating impacts and growing intensity and frequency of climate-related events for ecosystems, health, economies, social justice and cohesion.<\/p>\n<\/div> Our societies and economies are supported by what nature provides <\/b>\u2013 food, water, fibre, timber, carbon absorption, and land to build infrastructure. The EU accounts for less than 6% of the world population but uses between 70% and 97% of the \u2018safe operating space\u2019 available for the whole world. (1) We would need 3 planets to satisfy our demand if everyone on Earth lived like Europeans. This is not only unsustainable, it is irresponsible.<\/p>\n The consequences of our ecological overshoot include global deforestation, biodiversity loss, collapse of fish stocks, water scarcity and pollution, soil erosion, air pollution, and climate change, leading to more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and wildfires. This concerns us all, as Europe is set to suffer temperature increases double that of other continents due to climate change. And risks linked to resource exploitation such as violence, poverty and poor governance put global peace and security at risk. (2, 3)<\/p>\n In the coming months, you have the momentous opportunity and responsibility to turn the tide.<\/b> The EU launched the European Green Deal in 2019. While it is still far removed from its initial promise, the prioritisation of a \u2018climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe\u2019 represented a remarkable shift in policy making. However, in recent months, politicians across Europe have begun breaking their promises in favour of short-term interests of those that lobby hardest, further undermining the credibility of the EU. Scrapping existing environmental safeguards, or putting new green laws on hold will only bring our nature closer to the brink of collapse, along with our economies.<\/p>\n We urge you to act before it is too late. Current and future generations need you to step up your political commitment to work towards a climate-neutral, zero-pollution and nature-positive economy, that protects citizens and our industries. You can do this by committing to:<\/b><\/p>\n These actions are essential to unlock the societal and industrial benefits of a well-executed green and fair transition. <\/b>Already today, citizens are benefiting from the transition. In 2023, renewables used for our electricity production rose to a record 44% share – increasing our energy independence and stabilising soaring energy bills. In 19 Member States, electric cars are already cheaper than a petrol or diesel equivalent. The EU has been working on making rail travel cheaper, cleaner and easier, with notable successes. As a result of EU laws, air quality in cities and industrial areas has started to improve, saving lives and preventing illnesses. And the EU has seen substantial growth in green jobs, spanning various competencies and accommodating diverse skill levels, totalling 5.1 million jobs in 2020.<\/p>\n In the coming months, you will have the opportunity to set a political agenda that prioritises people and the planet, thereby creating even more benefits. Recent and forthcoming reports, such as the one on the future of the EU single market, (4) highlight the political imperative to act. We urge you to respect the broad majority of EU citizens who continue to believe that climate, health and social issues should be top priorities. (5)<\/p>\n Yours sincerely,<\/p>\n Undersigned signatories,<\/p>\n See here for a list of latest signatories<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
\nDear President von der Leyen, President Metsola and President Michel,
\nDear Members of the European Parliament,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n