Green 10’s Asks to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen

The overwhelming majority of Europeans want to see action on climate change, care about environmental protection, and are concerned about the health impacts of pollution.

These are times of multiple crises, unprecedented heatwaves with dramatic costs on people’s lives and the economy, and geopolitical upheaval. Yet another fossil fuel crisis has exposed the many dangers of our dependency on it. Disinformation has been systematically used to undermine science- based policymaking, erode the rule of law, including international law, and replace it with the rule of the strongest. Activities by vested interests are also fuelling the backlash against the EU environmental and climate framework, which has brought many benefits to people over the past decades and brought hope for the future.

Health, social and environmental protections are at risk; the European project is itself in existential danger, and Europe’s democratic model is being weakened, potentially undermined if no action is taken to resist.

These are times of choice and vision for the EU, and it is essential that the EU play a clear, constructive, and inspiring role. The future strength and credibility of the European project will depend on its ability to uphold these principles and regain citizens’ confidence.

As organisations committed to the public interest, science-based policymaking and a strong Europe, we believe the EU and especially the European Commission President should choose an agenda of hope, combining short-term action with a long-term vision.

Download the document to read more.