An informal alliance launched at the behest of 12 EU environment ministers has been set up to appeal for a “green recovery” from the Covid-19 pandemic. The alliance was launched on Monday by French centrist MEP Pascal Canfin and hopes to place environmental health first following the effects of the pandemic.
Pascal Canfin MEP
Pascal Canfin MEP
The alliance brings together 79 MEPs from across the political spectrum, as well as civil society groups, CEOs, business associations, the European trade union confederation and several think tanks.
This comes just days after EU ministers launched another appeal for the European Green Deal to be placed at the core of the post-Covid recovery process.
The CEOs of large companies such as Ikea, H&M and Danone have signed the appeal, representing the private sector in the alliance.
Signatories say the fight against climate change is at the core of Europe’s new economic policy, with an emphasis on renewable energy, zero-emissions and new technologies.
The MEP at the centre of the appeal, Pascal Canfin, has said they are committed to support transformation plans to challenge climate change a biodiversity loss.
He said: “The crisis existed before and will continue after the pandemic and we are choosing to accelerate the transition for when the time comes to reinvigorate the economy."
“Despite small mercies, coronavirus has not alleviated the climate crisis, and the money that both the EU and its member states invest into the economy must align with the Green Deal.”
A particular focus of the Green Deal is allowing the industry to innovate when it comes to investing in environmentally-friendly technologies, according to a report by the European Commission, with the ultimate end goal of making Europe “climate neutral” by 2050.
The deal will facilitate employment opportunities within companies and allow for the ability for the public to learn new skills, with the aim of increasing jobs in the industry as a whole.
All this will be backed by €25-30-billion worth of investments into the public sector.
Of particular importance for the energy industry is reducing the reliance on carbon to both aid a lower reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce deforestation.
Many countries have already implemented low-emission development strategies in an effort to tackle climate change. The European Commission is already a signatory of this bill.
Covid-19 has already had short-term effects on the environment with lower carbon emissions as transport use grinds to a stop.
However, experts have warned us not to take this for granted, as it is likely that pollution will rise back to previous rates once the pandemic recedes.
With more industries shifting towards greener production, the cost of ecological transition has been reduced, according to a statement released by the signatories.
The statement read: “In the past decade, great progress has been made in many transition sectors with areas such as shifting towards a climate neutral economy, biodiversity protection and innovation in the agriculture industry having the potential to rapidly create jobs and lead to an overall improvement in living conditions."
“The effects have led to energy being cheaper and more efficient, particularly in regards to solar energy, which was seven times more expensive 10 years ago, with the industry having not carried out the necessary renovations to make it work."
“Covid-19 will not make climate change go away. Let us fight these two battles together, and in doing so, come out far stronger.”
Back to Homepage
Back to Politics & Economics