Brussels, 20 April 2016
To: EU Heads of State and Government
Statement from the Coalition for Higher Ambition
We represent businesses, trade unions, local authorities and civil society organisations supporting a wide range of social and environmental outcomes. We have come together in an unprecedented grouping, to recognise that the Agreement struck in Paris in December 2015 is a turning point that requires the world to step up and raise its ambition to keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees, as well as to pursue efforts towards 1.5 degrees.
European leadership helped deliver the Paris Agreement. As you set off to New York to sign this agreement, we ask you to continue to show leadership by delivering ratification of the Paris Agreement as soon as possible, and by working with other countries to support their delivery of the Agreement’s goals and obligations, thereby effecting enhanced climate diplomacy.
However, showcasing European leadership abroad entails that we “walk the talk” at home. 2016 is a critical year for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, through the development of EU legislation that brings the EU’s 2030 climate and energy package to life. We believe that there is a real risk that the current level of ambition of legislation on the table will harm Europe’s chances of reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement, in a fair and equitable manner. Put simply, Europe’s 2030 legislative agenda risks locking-in insufficient ambition, and thereby undermining the integrity of Europe’s climate policies.
We have demonstrated that we are ready to play our part in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement. What we need to see now is the development of a robust European policy framework with strong, economy-wide targets, and clear timetables that will allow the EU to become a zero-carbon economy, driving increased deployment of renewable energy supply and energy efficiency measures. This also means guarantees, that 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas reductions targets are in line with the long term goals of the Paris Agreement, building on the overachievement of the EU’s 2020 emissions reductions target.
Together we must develop an innovative and sustainable European economy that will allow all of Europe to benefit in terms of good quality jobs, sustainable development, improved competitiveness and better public health, while ensuring a just transition for the workforce, and a healthy environment. Such a Europe will also be more credible and influential on the global stage, regaining its status as a committed leader on climate action, and strengthening Europe’s role as a fair partner, particularly to countries who are vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Signatories
ADP
Acciona
Act Alliance EU
Anglian Water
Bond Beter Leefmilieu Vlaanderen
BT
British Energy Efficiency Federation
Bundersverband Erneuerbare Energie (BEE)
Carbon Market Watch
CARE International
CDP
Centre for Transport and Environment (CDE) Czech Republic
Changepartnership
Climate Action Network Europe
Climate Alliance
Deutsche Naturschutzring (DNR)
Dong Energy
Doosan Babcock
DSM
E.ON
EKOenergy
Entidad Nacional de Auditores y Certificadores Energéticos (ENACE)
EuroACE
Euroheat & Power
European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE)
European Copper Institute
European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE)
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)
European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EIIF)
European Insulation Manufacturers Association (EURIMA)
European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF)
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
Ferrovial
GEN Europe
Gorenje Surovina d.o.o
Greenpeace
GSK
Health Care Without Harm Europe
Health And Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Heathrow
Iberdrola
IEA DSM Task 24
Interface
Inter-Environnement Wallonie (IEW)
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Kingfisher
Klima-Allianz Deutschland
Koalicja Klimatyczna Poland
Legambiente Italy
Milieudefensie Nederland
Mouvement Ecologique Luxembourg
National Energy Conservation Agency (NAPE) Poland
Nature Friends International
Oxfam
Philips
Plan B za Slovenijo - network of non-governmental organisations for sustainable development
Quercus Portugal
Reseau Action Climat France
Rockwool
Sandbag
SEO Birdlife Spain
Sindikat vzgoje izobraževanja, znanosti in kulture Slovenije
Sky
SSE
Sustainable Development Initiatives (DVI) Lithuania
Terra Mileniul III Romania
The B Team
The Danish 92 Group
Transport & Environment
Unilever
WWF
Zero - Associacao Sistema Terrestre Sustentavel Portugal
Zveza Svobodnih Sindikatov Slovenije
11.11.11 Vlaanderen
3M
E3G