It is time for EU leaders to face the fact that we are in a crisis. Much more needs to be done and with greater urgency to tackle the climate crisis. If we do not take drastic action within the next 10 years then it will be impossible to limit the planet to 1.5°C, severely threatening our future. We demand climate mainstreaming within the EU, meaning that all decisions need to be evaluated on their climate impact, taking into consideration other environmental issues. 

Today’s political inaction will determine our future. The youth will face the full force of climate change and we must play a central role in the production of environmental policies. The European Green Deal must be built with the Youth. It is vital that we are consulted and that our voices are heard. We ask to be included in the policy-making process, to be represented in the main meetings and that Commissioners regularly meet with representatives of the coalition. We demand transparency on what is being done with our inputs to policy generation.

The EU ratified the Paris Agreement. However, the EU’s efforts are not yet sufficient to meet the most crucial climate goals. It must now be an ambitious leader who pushes for further climate action. It should enhance its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) before 2020 to align with a maximum 1.5°C increase. The EU should also immediately adopt a long-term climate strategy for carbon neutrality, at the latest at the next European Council in October 2019.

We demand urgent action for a fast, comprehensive and just transition to clean renewable energy sources from dirty fossil fuels. Immediately, we demand an end to fossil fuel subsidies and new fossil fuel projects, particularly for coal and the redirection of financial investments into clean energy. The costs incurred by the transition in the short-term must be distributed in a socially equitable manner. Those who can afford the most need to commit the most.

We demand that more investment and focus is put into providing Europe wide sustainable transport networks. Travel and the Erasmus+ scheme have played an important role in the lives of young Europeans and in creating a shared European identity. It is important that neither travel nor the environment are sacrificed. The current infrastructure needs to be modernised in order to keep up with the demand for sustainable travel and to lower transport costs. Night trains should be reintroduced and a tax on kerosene should be implemented. It is vital that sustainable transport networks become a priority for this commission.

We demand that more emphasis is placed on education as a means to empower the Youth and give them the tools to achieving a carbon-neutral and circular economy. Further enhancement and emphasis needs to be made to informal education on sustainability. Further, more needs to be done to shift the mindset towards sustainable education for all, ensuring that both the physical learning environments and the curricula are sustainable and instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment.