The European Climate Pact is a movement of people united around a common cause, each taking steps in their own worlds to build a more sustainable Europe. Launched by the European Commission, the Pact is part of the European Green Deal and is helping the EU to meet its goal to become climate-neutral by 2050. It is implemented in all 27 countries of the European Union.
The European Climate Pact includes:
- Improving knowledge of climate change,
- Developing and implementing new solutions,
- Building synergies and maximising the impact of actions taken.
As part of the European Green Deal, the Pact aspires to become a vibrant space for sharing information, debating and taking action on climate change. It supports the development and actions of European climate movements. It engages a variety of actors – whether individuals, legal entities, organisations or local governments.
WHY THE EUROPEAN CLIMATE PACT WAS CREATED AND WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES?
The European Climate Pact was created as a platform to work and learn together, develop solutions and build networks for actual change. It aims to provide a fertile ground for initiatives, networks and movements that have already started to revolutionise the approach to climate action in Europe.
The initiative aims to:
- Empower Europeans who are ready to contribute, and reach out to those who need encourage,
- Raise awareness of climate issues and EU action,
- Encouraging climate action and involvement,
- Connecting citizens and climate action organisations and supporting them to learn from each other.
The pact is a response to the climate crisis which the European Union has the capacity to counter. The world should continue to work towards mitigating global warming and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The European Green Deal was launched in December 2019 to implement policies that support the creation of fairer, healthier, and wealthier societies, while guaranteeing access to resources for future generations. Europe-wide surveys show that Europeans perceive climate change as a very important topic for them. The EU is therefore responding not only to scientific findings but also to the needs of citizens.
The solutions presented in the European Green Deal Can only succeed if people, communities and organisations get involved and take joint initiatives – just like the European Climate Pact.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Everyone can be part of the European Climate Pact and get involved in the way that suits them best.
WHO ARE THE AMBASSADORS OF THE EUROPEAN CLIMATE PACT?
The ambassadors of the European Climate Pact support climate policies and climate actions in their communities and networks, and inform about them to inspire others. They need to meet some requirements.
It is a wide range of people from various fields united by their determination to strive for a climate-neutral world.
Among them are:
- Leaders of organisations or associations,
- Leaders of communities, informal groups or movements,
- Mayors, parliamentarians, policymakers or other public office holders,
- Representatives of cultural, educational or research institutions,
- Influencers, opinion leaders.
Recruitment for Ambassadors takes place once a year, but if you are interested in joining the Climate Pact community without being an Ambassador – you can do so at any time. It is worth staying up to date, following the information on the website and subscribing to the Pact's newsletter to find out more about the initiative's ongoing activities and upcoming calls.
WHAT ARE THE VALUES OF THE CLIMATE PACT?
- Science, responsibility and engagement: participation in the Pact involves positive climate action that inspires and encourages others to get involved. The Pact community contributes to concrete – science-based – activities with clear and measurable results to show the scale of impact.
- Transparency: sharing relevant information about activities, methodologies and results with other Pact participants and the public is an important element to help make improvements, learn from others, build networks, join initiatives and understand the impact of actions taken on the environment and communities.
- Stop greenwashing: participants' obligations will be recorded in such a way as to demonstrate that they are concrete, public and transparent. Progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis depending on the participant's capacity.
- Ambition: achieving climate and environmental goals, is possible through change. Every small step counts, and Pact participants are to strive to implement innovative solutions including visionary projects, experiments, or new methods of cooperation.
- Activities adjusted to the local context: The closer to people's everyday life, the better. Discussions and activities are to be adapted to the local context and specific target groups.
- Diversity and inclusivity: everyone, regardless of their area of engagement, can take part in the initiative. The Pact aims to remove barriers in climate action to care for Europe's future together. Creativity and diversity of views count.
THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES POLISH NETWORK "ENERGIE CITES"
The Association is the national coordinator of the Climate Pact in Poland. It works together with the Ambassadors and the entire Pact community, national partners, local governments and other stakeholders in municipalities, to increase the involvement of all citizens in environmental transformation, inspire them to take climate action and join forces in a common effort to combat climate change.
The national coordinator carries out the following tasks:
- Promotion of the European Climate Pact,
- Organisation of events to spread awareness and encourage behavioural change,
- Collection of good practices and dissemination at national and international level,
- Supporting the Pact Ambassadors and the Pact community.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
