10 June 2024 - European citizens have voiced their frustrations, shaking up the political landscape of the European Union and telling us they want change. The conservatives take the largest number of seats and the far right makes a dangerous breakthrough in the European Parliament. However, newly elected MEPs and EU leaders have the opportunity to work with their communities to showcase how important a just transition, driven by the EU Green Deal, will be for their futures.

The millions of euros spent by far right and conservatives to caricature the Green Deal of policies such as carbon pricing and the security vs. climate divide, while promoting false solutions, have distracted from the vital shift away from fossil fuels that's essential not just for our climate, but to put people first and protect Europeans by building a safe economy and long-lasting peace.

Besides, recent polling shows that, in the fastest-warming continent, 84% of citizens believe that strong EU climate legislation is needed to protect the environment in their country. European decision makers cannot ignore this fact.  

Alexandre Naulot, Head of European Campaigns and Advocacy for the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative, said: “As Europe prepares for another record-breaking summer, and the war in Ukraine enters its third year, newly elected MEPs cannot build our future on disinformation, anti-green campaigns and prehistoric thinking instead of becoming a regional and global leader in the urgently needed energy transition. Phasing out fossil fuels means tackling not only climate change, but also the security, economic, geopolitical, biodiversity, health and migration challenges that are at the heart of the European tensions. We urge the new parliament’s majority to recognize their interconnections in the new political priorities for the coming years and to work towards a modern and resilient economy protecting citizens. Europe does not have the privilege of putting the climate emergency on the back burner, and it has both the opportunities and the means to pave the way for a fossil fuel free future."

Amiera Sawas, Head of Research at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, stated: "The results of the European elections underline the importance of engaging with newly elected MEPs and the next President of the European Commission on their chance to turn climate challenges into opportunities. They can lead a better future for European citizens by harnessing the continent's economic potential, and its renewable energy capabilities, to generate millions of clean jobs while protecting  them from escalating climate impacts, which affect their costs of living and contribute to socioeconomic division and conflict. The EU Council's recent green light to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty should also be leveraged to accelerate Europe's transition from the old to the new by supporting a green and social pact and the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This would consolidate Europe's commitment to a rapid and equitable energy transition, both for the continent and the rest of the world.”