WE ARE MANY Citizens, NGOs, scientists, workers, progressive industries—we must all step forward. Our future must be defended from the clutches of the status quo, the past. On its 50th anniversary, the EEB presents its greatest asset: a concrete plan of action. In defiance of the anti-science push threatening Europe’s environmental action and democracy, we release a blueprint for hope—an agenda for the future. A pact for a green and social contract fit for a one-planet economy. Let’s show EU policymakers that we are many. Sign up, speak out, spread the word!
A PACT FOR THE FUTURE 🤝
NO GREEN, NO DEAL None of Europe’s challenges can be tackled by ignoring the laws of physics and nature. Not one. The triple planetary crisis—warming our climate, spoiling our biodiversity, and poisoning our environment—is bringing us to the brink. But current high-level debates on next EU priorities, whether on competitiveness or social rights, fail to acknowledge the urgent need for ecological action.
ALL-INCLUSIVE The old reflex of pitting economic prosperity against environmental and climate action is now redundant. That’s why we’ve developed, in consultation with wide variety of stakeholders including civil society and decision-makers, a European Pact for the Future. With 12 demands, we release an actionable and viable programme to drive the transformational change needed for a prosperous future for everybody, within the boundaries of a single healthy planet.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS In the name of the status quo and short-term profit, powerful lobbies are doing anything they can to halt the green legislative agenda. But we cannot afford to slow down!. Scientists stress that bold action must be taken now if we are to avert an environmental and climate breakdown. Needless to say, our economy also depends on our success in tackling the triple planetary crisis. Whether you are an individual, an organisation or a company, sign up and add your voice. Only with a clear commitment from our leaders to a green and social deal, within the boundaries of our planet, can hope begin to thrive.
ONE-PLANET ECONOMY 🌍
COMPETITIVE SUSTAINABILITY Europe’s competitive strength worldwide lies in its trailblazer capacity, rooted in high social and environmental standards. This must be built upon, not bulldozed. There is no scientific evidence backing the claim that deregulation will make the EU more competitive. Big polluters aim to convince EU leaders otherwise ahead of the next Competitiveness Council on 25 May, but not without rebuttal from the side of CSOs. Stay tuned.
REPEAT WITH US We cannot compete on a dead planet. Inaction on climate, nature and pollution will not make our economy more competitive and resilient. It will rather bring our planet to a breaking point. Europe must support decarbonisation and green frontrunners in all productive sectors – not the vocal and regressive minority. The recipe? Good policy, investments, fair taxation and equitable distribution of resources. It’s the only way to drive the needed transformational change.
€1 TRILLION Significant public and private resources need to be deployed to tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the rising cost of living. Delayed action costs much more economically, socially and environmentally. Together with other NGOs we call on a new €1 trillion investment plan for the post-Next Generation EU.
50 YEARS SHAPING EUROPE 🎂
EEBirthday In 1974, a group of environmentalists set up a network to coordinate civil society claims at European level. The EEB was born. Today, 50 years later, our network stands as the largest of environmental citizens’ organisations in Europe. With over 180 member organisations in 40 countries, the EEB represents 30 million individual members and supporters. Happy EEBirthday to all of them! We would like also to welcome Toni Vidan as our newly appointed President, taking over from Johanna Sandahl, whom we thank for her amazing work over the past 5 years 💐
LONG JOURNEY For half a century, the EEB has contributed to propelling Europe to the forefront of progressive climate, environmental, and social legislation. Without the active advocacy of civil society actors, crucial milestones in the EU wouldn’t have been realised. The right to repair, air quality standards, sustainable corporate due diligence, industrial emissions prevention, phase out of F-gases… the list is long, but much more needs to be done.
REFLECTIVE STOP On Monday, we celebrated the 50th anniversary at our annual conference. Beyond the brilliant speeches and the fact that #EEB24 was trending for over 24 hours (!), one fundamental point still holds true: we are at a critical juncture in history, and we must mobilise our communities towards the EU elections #votefutureEU.
FIGHT FOR TOMORROW We don’t have another 50 years, not even another decade. It is the decisions taken within the next EU mandate that will decide our future. This is why we handed over the European Pact for the Future to the largest network of environmental youth organisations in Europe, Youth and Environment Europe. We ask the whole civil society to stand behind this pact and call for a green agenda of hope.
NATURE IS OUR ALLY ⛰️
SPEAKING UP FOR NATURE Nature and biodiversity have taken centre stage this week, with eleven EU environment ministers strongly backing the Nature Restoration Law in a letter on Monday, urging their European counterparts to do the same. The wave of public support for stricter nature legislation is unmistakable, as a recent survey in six countries whose leaders currently do not support it shows. In Poland, this sentiment was further underlined by 215 scientists who wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressing the urgent need to protect nature, not only in Poland but across Europe. Scientists and experts in the Netherlands have launched #EuropeforNature, an initiative to raise awareness among European citizens of the need to prioritise nature and sustainability, and to empower them to voice their concerns.
HOWLING WOLVES Also in need of protection is the wolf. On Wednesday, EU ambassadors discussed its fate on European soil and whether a downgrade in its protection status would be justified. In December 2023, the European Commission proposed downgrading the species’ status from “strictly protected” to “protected”, which would open up more hunting opportunities. As in 2006, 2018 and 2022, when the EU rejected similar proposals, there is still no justifiable scientific basis to change their status.
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