We are ready. Why aren’t you?

To: EU Ministers of Environment

Dear Minister,

The EU helped make history in 2015 when it came to the negotiation table with strong climate intentions, convincing the world to sign up to the Paris Agreement. That hard work could be undone at the next UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, unless world governments take concrete steps NOW to make the aims of the Paris Agreement a reality. Unless the EU announces plans to dramatically increase its climate goals, other world leaders will not budge.

Young people have been striking across Europe for over a year. Millions of people are demanding climate action globally. The message to decision-makers is crystal clear: We are ready. Why aren't you?

On March 4, the EU's Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans gave us nice words, but an empty climate law. Instead of concrete action to raise the 2030 climate targets, he's opted for a distant promise of climate neutrality by 2050 without clear measures on how to get there. We must act before it is too late. Raising the EU’s target to 65% emissions reduction by 2030 would show citizens and the rest of the world that we are brave enough to do what needs to be done right now.

You have the chance to make climate history, but you need to act fast.

We call on you and EU ministers to raise the ambition and lead the world away from climate breakdown. Now is the time to fill the climate law with concrete plans for 2030:

• Propose a complete phase out of coal.
• Bring in measures to ensure a 100% renewable economy.
• Set up an independent scientific climate council that will set Europe's carbon budget based on the latest science.
• Ensure that all EU investments are climate-proof and that 50% of the EU budget is used to fight the climate crisis.

Commit to increase the EU's 2030 climate target to 65%. For all of us, do it now. The climate cannot wait. We will not wait.

2020 is the year to put words into action. We are ready. We can do this. Let's save the climate together!