European Union launches Pact to support citizen-led climate action

In The News 14 Dec 2020

On Wednesday 16 December, the European Commission is launching a European Climate Pact aiming to bring together citizens to accelerate climate action.

In December 2019, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, the EU’s plan for a fair, healthy, sustainable and prosperous societal transformation. However, the success of the Green Deal will hinge on whether citizens, communities, companies and organisations can play their part, alongside government policies and regulation.

There is also a demand for stronger action coming from citizens and, building on the momentum of the youth movement, public opinion surveys show that nine out of ten Europeans see climate change as a serious problem.

The Climate Pact has been designed to meet this challenge and enable everyone to work towards building a greener Europe.

“One year ago, the European Commission announced the European Green Deal, its plan for a net zero future for the EU.  But it’s clear that many of the solutions proposed in the Green Deal will need strong buy-in from local communities, schools and businesses in order to succeed,” said Helen Spence-Jackson, Head of EU Affairs at EIT Climate-KIC.

“The launch of the Climate Pact recognises this, and it’s fantastic to see the role of social innovation and citizen activation featuring so strongly. At EIT Climate-KIC, our diverse innovation network of stakeholders have a clear opportunity to contribute to the delivery of the Pact and help accelerate climate action.”

The Pact will provide a space for citizens to work together to tackle climate change and environmental degradation, and to understand the opportunities that come with decisive action and sustainable lifestyles. It aims to connect different sectors of society, including regions, local communities, civil society, industry and schools, and to work alongside existing initiatives, movements and networks.

EIT Climate-KIC supported start up, Ecoworks, has been invited to speak at the official launch of The Pact on Wednesday 16 December.

In partnership with EURACTV, EIT Climate-KIC is also holding a side-event to the Climate Pact launch. The conference, called ‘How to talk climate? Engaging all EU citizens in the climate discussion’ will be moderated by journalist Brian Maguire, and speakers include member of EIT Climate-KIC Advisory Council and former Minister of Environment of Bulgaria, Julian Popov, and Julia Fiedorczuk, co-founder of the School of Ecopoetics.

For more information and to register for the event, please see here.

 

 
Location

Share this article

Related Articles

Embracing a new approach to climate change in Moldova Krakow: transforming the city towards climate neutrality Is Europe doing enough to tackle climate change?
Back to all Articles

Share this article

Articles you may be interested in
In The News
Embracing a new approach to climate change in Moldova

Moldova is one of Europe’s most modest contributors to...

Embracing a new approach to climate change in Moldova
In The News
Krakow: transforming the city towards climate neutrality

Poland’s former capital and one of its oldest cities,...

Krakow: transforming the city towards climate neutrality
In The News
Is Europe doing enough to tackle climate change?

On 23 April, EIT Climate-KIC CEO Kirsten Dunlop spoke...

Is Europe doing enough to tackle climate change?
In The News
EU Commission publishes sustainable finance taxonomy

The European Commission has published its EU-wide classification system for...

EU Commission publishes sustainable finance taxonomy
In The News
New European Bauhaus: what kind of future do you want to live in?

On 22 and 23 April, the first conference dedicated...

New European Bauhaus: what kind of future do you want to live in?
In The News
Estonian innovation to help stabilise grid as renewables increase

EIT Climate-KIC supported Estonian start-up Sympower has raised €5.2...

Estonian innovation to help stabilise grid as renewables increase
In The News
Five EIT Climate-KIC community members in Forbes 30 under 30 list

Twelve entrepreneurs from across the EIT community have been...

Five EIT Climate-KIC community members in Forbes 30 under 30 list
In The News
These eleven organisations are building a greener Europe

Google, in partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, launched the €10...

These eleven organisations are building a greener Europe
In The News
New equity crowdfunding programme unearths cleantech start-ups

Found by us, funded by you, a new start-up...

New equity crowdfunding programme unearths cleantech start-ups
In The News
From start-up to 100-person industry player in 18 months: air up is launching ...

It’s a beverage revolution: Healthy hydration while fooling your...

From start-up to 100-person industry player in 18 months: air up is launching in new markets
In The News
#TurnItAround: an event for all climate solutions seekers, suppliers and enabl...

As part of the fifth SDG Global festival of...

#TurnItAround: an event for all climate solutions seekers, suppliers and enablers
In The News
New EIT initiative to boost innovation in higher education

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is...

New EIT initiative to boost innovation in higher education
In The News
Just transition within reach for Polish coal city Rybnik

“We are preparing plans for the next decade. Mentality is...

Just transition within reach for Polish coal city Rybnik
In The News
Inclusive guide helps communities build urban resilience

The new Urban Action Kit, launched by the International...

Inclusive guide helps communities build urban resilience
In The News
Climate app among DigiEduHack 2020 global finalists

The DigiEduHack, supported by EIT Climate-KIC as well as...

Climate app among DigiEduHack 2020 global finalists
In The News
GreeMko receives Climate Reality Project Award in Spain 

GreeMko (for Green Management Technology), a Spanish start-up that...

GreeMko receives Climate Reality Project Award in Spain 
In The News
What’s the future of trade in a climate crisis?

EIT Climate-KIC Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Dunlop addressed the...

What’s the future of trade in a climate crisis?
In The News
Wanted: Green business ideas to fix climate change

Starting today, the seventh edition of the global green...

Wanted: Green business ideas to fix climate change
In The News
Why sustainable water management needs a systemic solution

Ensuring that fresh water is available, in a sustainable...

Why sustainable water management needs a systemic solution
In The News
Integrating nature with technology to strengthen climate adaptation

The European Commission released the new EU Climate Adaptation...

Integrating nature with technology to strengthen climate adaptation
In The News
EIT Climate-KIC is a key player in helping Europe adapt to climate change

EIT Climate-KIC welcomes the new EU strategy on adaptation...

EIT Climate-KIC is a key player in helping Europe adapt to climate change
In The News
Edinburgh: building climate resilient infrastructure and communities

A labyrinth of cobblestone streets, dimly lit and presided...

Edinburgh: building climate resilient infrastructure and communities
In The News
Residents of Kessel-Lo, Belgium, are invited to shape the future of their neig...

EIT Climate-KIC is working with the city of Leuven...

Residents of Kessel-Lo, Belgium, are invited to shape the future of their neighbourhood
In The News
Improved urban parks increase communities’ climate resilience

Start Park, a project led by citizens from Florence,...

Improved urban parks increase communities’ climate resilience
In The News
New accelerator programme geared towards systemic change secures key partners

Following its Open Call, the New Accelerator programme has...

New accelerator programme geared towards systemic change secures key partners
In The News
New videogame builds climate awareness among players

Change Game, a videogame financed by EIT Climate-KIC and...

New videogame builds climate awareness among players
In The News
Organic and homemade food brought to the dining rooms of large corporations

Carlota Mateos and Juan Vila, co-founders of PlenEat have...

Organic and homemade food brought to the dining rooms of large corporations
In The News
Climeworks added to Microsoft’s climate portfolio

EIT Climate-KIC supported Climeworks, a carbon capture technology, is...

Climeworks added to Microsoft’s climate portfolio
In The News
Circular Slovenia named in 100 Climate Policy Breakthroughs

The peer-to-peer learning platform for governments, Apolitical, included EIT...

Circular Slovenia named in 100 Climate Policy Breakthroughs
In The News
New tool uses satellite imagery to accelerate sustainable agriculture

Supported by EIT Climate-KIC and developed by its partner...

New tool uses satellite imagery to accelerate sustainable agriculture