With the COVID-19 pandemic and particularly the economic recovery of this crisis dominating the public discourse, as well as the postponement of COP26 in Glasgow by a year to November 2021, the need to fight climate change has seemingly lost priority on the political agenda. Although the ongoing pandemic is closely linked to the destruction of our environment and biodiversity, initial declarations by the UK government and others, declaring 2020 as the “year of climate action” have clearly been downscaled which could have dramatic effects for our planet.
The following months will be crucial to ensure public awareness that urgent climate action is needed and that the recovery of our societies and economies must be a green recovery in all its aspects.
The Green European Foundation and the European Green Party are therefore organising “Greening COP26. An online hub for climate” to provide a space for the green ecosystem to keep up the momentum within the movement and to strengthen the connections that were already built – between green actors from different levels as well as between green actors and CSOs.
Sign up here: https://webapp.spotme.com/welcome/gef2020
Day 3: 5 years after Paris – Walking the Talk?
Friday, 11 December, 11-14h CET
So what is next for us? Marking the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement (on the 12th December 2020), and at the same time in the expectation that the European Council (on the 11th December) will make its final decision on the EU climate law, this day marks an important milestone of progress for global and European climate action thus far.
But we know that there is still much work left and time is running out. The impacts of climate change are already being felt, and as we continue to battle the corona crisis, it is more important than ever that we look towards building the sustainable and just future we want to see. Youth movements and activists have not only been leading the push for action now, but as the generation that will bear the brunt of the climate crisis, their vision of the future is more important than ever. We can build on the best practices, innovations, and visions that are already being fought for around the world. Greens, civil society, activists and others must come together to shape a better tomorrow.
- 11h00-12h00 Networking
- 12h00-13h30 Panel discussion: Five years after Paris – what’s next?
Speakers: Francois Gemenne, Timothée Parrique, Leonore Gewessler (tbc), and more speakers to be announced
Moderation tbc: Lisa Tostado, hbs EU Head of International Climate, Energy and Agricultural Policy)
- 13h30-14h00: free space/networking