328 European mayors have now signed EUROCITIES joint letter urging European and national leaders to ensure EU emissions peak by 2020, halve by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
Climate change is once again on the agenda of today and tomorrow’s EU Council Summit. With more national leaders than ever signalling their willingness to accept a target of net-zero by 2050, it seems ever more likely that such a target can finally be agreed across the EU either at this week’s summit or later in the year.
Cities are ready to do their part in achieving this target, with many already showing a much higher level of ambition. The letter asks that EU and national leaders:
- develop a just and inclusive European long term climate strategy that enhances resilience and ensures emissions in the EU peak by 2020, more than halve by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050;
- enhance the 2030 EU climate and energy targets and Nationally Determined Contribution to ensure a resilient, rapid and just energy transition in line with the above goals;
- align the next EU long-term budget with this strategy, remove fossil fuel subsidies and mainstream climate action as a priority across all funding programmes;
- commit all member states to binding net-zero emissions reduction targets and the above goals.
Anna König Jerlmyr, president of EUROCITIES and mayor of Stockholm, one of the signatories to the letter, said:
“I am very proud that many cities have already taken ambitious steps towards a net-zero economy but limiting warming to 1.5C requires the involvement of all political levels. It is time that European and national leaders fully commit to and start working for a climate neutral Europe by 2050, together with our cities.”
The letter was originally signed by 210 mayors and sent to national and European leaders ahead of the ‘future of Europe’ summit in Sibiu in May.
You can read the full letter with an updated list of signatories below:
