Now that 2024 surpassed 2023’s record as the hottest year ever, the greenbashing by traditional political families should make place for strong climate action.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year since records began in 1850, with the global average temperature for the first time exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Europe experienced record-breaking summer temperatures, with more heat-related deaths, wildfires, and heavy rains, bringing misery to millions of people.
Ciarán Cuffe, European Green Party co-chair, and former Irish Climate Minister of State, said: "Despite the ever growing body of evidence, and the climate catastrophes that have struck European countries, the European People’s Party led by Manfred Weber continues with their greenbashing, attacking climate policies for short-term political gain and kicking the can down the road. By delaying the solutions urgently needed to curb the devastation of extreme weather events, centrist and right-wing parties are failing to protect the people, today and for future generations. Climate justice delayed is climate justice denied.”
European Green Party co-chair Vula Tsetsi added: “Well-thought climate action also produces numerous side benefits: we can see the renewable energy revolution already spreading across Europe. We want to ensure that green measures continue to deliver benefits for the wider population: they contribute to lower bills, to decent housing, and quality jobs. We have seen substantial progress in green legislation over the last decade, and we want to maintain that momentum in these challenging times. This is a moment of choice. Will Europe’s leaders take decisive action, or will they allow the crisis to spiral further?”
