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.

 

 
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