The Environment, Climate Change and Energy Network (ECEN) of the Party of European Socialist (PES) met by videoconference this afternoon to exchange on the EU Climate Law agreement, the upcoming Fit for 55 Package and the next steps ahead of the COP26 climate summit in November.
PES ECEN Chair, Javi Lopez MEP, said:
“Looking back at the past year, the EU has achieved a lot in the fight for the climate. Under the leadership of Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans, the European Green Deal is guiding our path to a more sustainable future that protects the health of our planet. We have managed to ensure this remains central in the recovery too.
“With the EU Climate Law we have a solid foundation. Now we must make sure we take the right next steps in the Fit for 55 package, so we achieve our goal of climate-neutrality by 2050. That is what socialists and democrats are pushing for.
“But Europe is not a bubble. Pollution and climate change do not recognise borders. The EU must be vocal in its defence of the climate, and ambitious in its action now. That is how we inspire the rest of the world to act too. Ahead of the COP26 we must lead by example.”
The meeting strongly welcomed the decision of the USA – under the new Biden administration – to actively re-engage with the climate agenda. European progressives see positive signs from other countries and are hopeful that global climate action can be encouraged, with the leadership of the EU.
Members of the network also exchanged on action to cut pollution, and agriculture and the environment.
