On Friday 14 June, environmental NGOs considered that the European Council of 20 and 21 June will offer a unique opportunity for European leaders to demonstrate a "credible commitment to respond to the climate and ecological crisis and make it a priority for the European Commission", according to Greenpeace. This NGO sees this "crucial" summit as a test of credibility for Europe.
According to Greenpeace, the EU needs a Commission President with genuine vision, steely dedication and the guts to stand up to powerful vested interests. "Appointing a reluctant climate convert as the next Commission President will signal that Europe is not ready to respond to humanity’s greatest ever challenge", the NGO said in a statement.
Credibility will also depend on the ability of leaders to recognise the need to strengthen the EU's current commitments for 2030 and support concrete deadlines for reaching net zero emissions. Greenpeace, like WWF, expects leaders to aim for a 65% reduction in EU emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest.
According to Greenpeace, the draft strategic agenda 2019-2024 does not equate the climate emergency (see EUROPE 12272/12). In addition, WWF expects the EU to commit itself to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and for Sustainable Development Goals to guide all EU actions. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)