The Green Recovery Alliance was launched in the European Parliament on April 14, 2020, based on calls from 12 EU environment ministers. They had signed the appeal for a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to these MEPs from across the political spectrum, the Alliance brings together civil society groups, business associations, the European Trade Union Confederation, NGOs, leaders of large companies such as Ikea, H&M, Lego, Microsoft, Neste, and other stakeholders.
The Alliance places the fight against climate change at the heart of the economic strategy to contribute to the rapid recovery of European economies and societies. Investments should be aimed at accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral economy, protecting biodiversity, and transforming agricultural and food systems.
“COVID-19 will not make climate change and nature degradation go away [and] we will not win the fight against COVID-19 without a sound economic response,” reads the letter, which was initiated by French Liberal MEP Pascal Canfin. He chairs the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
“The coronavirus pandemic is causing unforeseen consequences to people’s health and the economy. While it is important to tackle the coronavirus, we also need to look for ways to help rebuild the world after the crisis. When we plan our path to that world, we have an opportunity to build a sustainable and resilient economy and society. Now is the time to design that vision,” says Peter Vanacker, President and CEO of Neste.
- Ten European governments call for green recovery plan, Greenpeace European Unit 09/04/2020.
- How the EU’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic could make our society more resilient, Greenpeace European Unit 23/03/2020.
- Neste Oyj, Espoo, Finland
