EU representatives in the climate and environment committee are heading for a crucial vote on corporate obligations to protect ecosystems and climate on 9 February. We’ve joined the Justice is Everybody’s Business campaign in calling on decision makers to make the right choice for the future of the planet.
The latest climate science warns that unless we have massive emissions cuts now, the goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C to avoid catastrophic climate change may soon be out of reach.
Climate disasters have severe impacts on business operations. People depend on small and medium enterprises for goods, services or for employment. The European economy is not prepared for these disruptions, and is not pushing businesses to decrease its contribution to destructive climate change.
On top of that, the EU’s current emissions trajectory is deepening a global environmental and human rights crisis; increasing already existing inequalities and endangering millions of people’s lives inside as well as outside Europe.
This is why it’s so important that the EU delivers a EU Due Diligence law that fully integrates climate impacts. If the EU wants to protect our economy and our companies from the impacts of climate change, businesses must be obliged to do their part in the energy transition, and must urgently reduce carbon emissions in their global supply chains.
Only 16% of European corporations have set emission reduction targets in line with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal. It’s obvious that voluntary measures are not enough, and puts companies that have committed to reducing their emissions at a competitive disadvantage.
To include climate under the obligations of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive can clarify legal obligations for companies, provide a fairer market place for businesses with real commitments, and protect European citizens and businesses in a climate-changed world.
Therefore, we urge everyone to join the Justice is Everybody’s campaign and write to your MEP on the environmental committee to ensure that:
- Climate change is included in the list of environmental impacts
- Companies take all the necessary due diligence measures to identify and prevent climate risks in their global value chains
- All greenhouse gas emissions are taken into account in the implementation of transition plans with enforceable targets
Big businesses must do their part to keep warming within 1.5°C. Climate justice is everybody’s business!
If you want to join, please email your member of European Parliament in the environmental committee to tell them we need real climate provisions in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
You will find more information on the Justice is Everybody’s Business website and social media page.
