Posted on April, 24 2020

As the EU and world governments log on to their one high-level climate meeting this year on Monday, it is critical that the EU - and Germany, the meeting host - push climate action at home and abroad. 
 
What’s happening?
The annual  ‘Petersberg Climate Dialogue’, coordinated by the government of Germany - with the UK as co-host this year - will take place online on 27-28 April. With the COP26 climate summit postponed, this is the only high-level political discussion that will take place internationally in 2020. It is therefore crucial that governments keep climate action momentum up by stating their intention to rapidly increase their climate pledges - Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The EU must lead the way next week by committing to update its 2030 pledge to 65% emissions reductions before the autumn.
 
Ester Asin, Director of WWF European Policy Office said:
“The EU and Germany need to grasp this opportunity for climate leadership with both hands. Governments are rightly focusing on the Covid-19 pandemic today, but the EU has committed to making our recovery green and aligned with our climate goals. Putting sustainability and climate action at the heart of how we rebuild the economy is the best way to ensure the wellbeing and resilience of people and planet. 
 
“At Petersberg, all leaders must speak out in favour of a green recovery which follows climate science in order to unlock higher national climate pledges. Given Germany's economic and political weight and upcoming EU presidency, Chancellor Angela Merkel is in the driving seat - her signalling that the country will shift key economic sectors rapidly to clean technologies would send a powerful message both within the EU and internationally,” added Asin.
 
While greenhouse gas emissions have dipped due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus outbreak, this is a temporary blip due to a terrible situation, and should not be celebrated or taken to be a lasting situation. Recent figures show that 2019 was the warmest year on record for Europe, and 11 of the 12 warmest years have occurred since 2000 in Europe. In WWF’s view, the EU needs to be climate neutral by 2040 and cut emissions by 65% by 2030 to do what is required by science to avoid climate catastrophe.
 
More on ‘green recovery’ initiatives:

•  NGO statement: Time to invest in a healthy future - Time for a green recovery (launched on 23 April)
• WeMove petition: Bailouts? Yes, for people and the planet!
• Building resilience: WWF recommendations for a just & sustainable recovery after Covid-19 (7 April), EPO press release available here.  
• Call for mobilisation by cross-party political decision-makers, business and financial leaders, NGOs, think tankers, stakeholders, to support and implement the establishment of Green Recovery Investment Packages (initiative led by MEP Pascal Canfin, launched on 14 April). 

 
Contact:
Imke Lübbeke
Head of Climate and Energy
WWF European Policy Office 
iluebbeke@wwf.eu 
+ 32 2 743 88 18
 
Sarah Azau
Media Manager 
WWF European Policy Office 
sazau@wwf.eu
+32 473 573 137