It is time to invest in a healthy future: it is time for a green and fair recovery.

LPN supports the Petition "for a green and fair recovery for Europe after COVID-19", which aims to call on European Union and national leaders to face with solidarity, courage and innovation the unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.


During this time of crisis, which is taking many lives and endangering the livelihoods of others, it is essential that our leaders provide a strong response. We welcome plans to make substantial funds available to combat the health emergency, unemployment, and support Europe's small businesses, but more is needed.


Millions of Europeans are waiting for the end of quarantine, for the day when they can reunite with family and friends and return to work. But we don't want to go back to "business as usual," we don't want to go back to an economic model that has exacerbated social inequalities, compromised our health, and brought nature and our planet to the brink of collapse. Instead, we believe that now is the time to make our economies radically greener, fairer, and more resilient to future shocks.

While the immediate priority is to address this public health emergency, public stimulus packages will need to be developed in order to revive the economy, create millions of jobs, and support people - especially the most vulnerable - in this difficult time. How we respond to the crisis will determine our failure or success in fighting climate change, nature loss, pollution and inequality, and creating health benefits for all.

The EU and its governments must therefore demonstrate leadership and vision in directing all public investments towards accelerating the transition to a fairer, more resilient and sustainable economy by giving a boost to the European Green Deal.


We call on political leaders to develop comprehensive European and national Sustainable Recovery Plans:

  • Enhance policies against climate change and biodiversity loss in the EU, nationally and internationally, by strengthening and continuing the implementation of targets, strategies and laws announced in the European Green Pact;
  • In high-carbon and other potentially polluting sectors such as intensive agriculture, support companies in aligning with environmental and climate objectives. No bailouts should be made of unviable or polluting industries that have no future in tomorrow's economy. State aid, loans, subsidies and other direct or indirect support to companies should be made under strict conditions, be monitored and enforced by the EU, and focus on sustainable initiatives and sustainable job creation.
  • The establishment of a green recovery fund supported by all European financial tools (including the Multiannual Financial Framework and its programs, new funds, the use of the European Stability Mechanism and the exploitation of "eurobonds"), to finance a green and fair recovery. These interventions should be based on established principles such as transparency, accountability and community-driven.
  • Public and private investment during recovery should be guided by the European taxonomy to accelerate the transition from polluting to green sectors. Similarly, the European Investment Bank should bring its lending policies in line with the goals of the European Green Deal by the end of 2020; in addition, sustainable financial policies should be accelerated and everyone should agree to exclude a taxonomy of unsustainable practices.
  • All recovery plans must put people's well-being at the heart of the crisis response, provide social benefits and protect workers' rights through a "just transition for all.

 


We support the many calls for a green recovery that have come from across Europe: from 13 European governments, Members of the European Parliament, the Club of Rome, scientists, NGOs, 200 business and political representatives, energy companies and many more. The European Council also called on the EU to prepare an economic recovery plan integrating the green transition. To these voices we add ours!

 

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