The under is an open letter from International Citizen asking for European leaders to take daring local weather motion instantly. International Citizen is sharing this open letter with the European Fee President, Ursula von der Leyen, European Fee Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, and Commissioner for Local weather Motion Wopke Hoekstra. When the European Fee publishes its proposal for a brand new EU local weather goal for 2040 on 6 February 2024, determination makers should reply to calls from civil society for an bold goal that may preserve us consistent with 1.5 levels and ship a swift transition away from all fossil fuels.
Brussels, 25 January 2024
Topic: Name for Bold and Inclusive 2040 Local weather Targets
Pricey European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen,
Pricey European Fee Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič,
Pricey Commissioner for Local weather Motion Wopke Hoekstra,
I’m writing to name on the European Fee to assist the adoption of bold and inclusive 2040 local weather targets. This plan represents the final alternative for the European Fee to go away an enduring legacy within the struggle in opposition to the local weather disaster.
Particularly, this should embody the assist of:
- The adoption of a legally-binding goal to cut back gross emissions ideally to web zero, however a minimum of to a 95% discount in web greenhouse gasoline emissions by 2040 as really helpful by the European Scientific Advisory Board on Local weather Change and to deliver the EU as carefully in alignment as potential with the targets of the Paris Settlement.
- Separate targets for emissions reductions, everlasting carbon removals, and sequestration within the land sector, as advocated by greater than 100 lecturers, companies, civil society organizations, and analysis establishments, in an open letter despatched to the European Fee in January 2024.
- Embrace clear fossil gas finish dates for coal, oil and gasoline utilization per sector, together with a zero-emissions energy system by 2037, consistent with the EU’s emission discount targets. Coal ought to be phased out no later than 2030, fossil gasoline no later than 2035 and oil on the newest by 2040.
- Prioritise a ‘reduction-first’ strategy, and the place carbon removals and offsetting are used, these ought to obtain impartial third-party verification.
- Guarantee transparency over the implementation of the EU’s targets and monetary commitments, on the EU and Member State degree.
It’s critical that the Fee demonstrates management within the international struggle in opposition to the local weather disaster and we belief that you’ll take into account these suggestions critically and work in direction of a sustainable and resilient future for the generations to return.