Find all post related to the activities of the YEE Office and Board.

Call for Finance Coordinator

to join our Finance team.

Apply now

20 h/ week

26k CZK/month

Prague, CZ

Onsite

Start 1st April 2024

YEE is seeking a Finance Coordinator

YEE is excited to announce the opening of a part-time Finance Coordinator (20 hours/week) from April 2024 to April 2025 (potential extension) to join our Finance team.

Responsibilities include financial reporting, grant management, budget monitoring, and data management. The selected candidate must have language proficiency in English and Czech. Ideal candidates have experience in budgeting, grant management, nonprofit accounting, and strong communication skills.

Remuneration is 26 000 CZK/month gross salary.

Your responsibilities

  • Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Present financial information to the Coordination team and the Board, offering insights and recommendations for strategic planning.
  • Monitor grant budgeting and reporting processes to ensure compliance with funder requirements. Work closely with project managers and department managers to align financial activities with project goals and objectives.
  • Monitor budget vs. actual performance for various projects and programs. Identify variances and communicate findings to the Finance Manager
  • Organise and archive financial documents, reports, and supporting documentation for audit and compliance purposes.
  • Assisting in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, organisational policies, and grant agreements. Supporting internal and external audits by providing requested documentation and explanations as needed.
  • Assisting the financial manager with the travel arrangements such buying tickets, booking accommodations and reimbursements when required.

Apply now

Candidates we are looking for

Call for Finance Coordinator | Part-time Opportunities

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Climate Litigation as a tool for youth climate movements

How Climate Litigation Empowers Youth Climate Movements?

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Climate Litigation as a tool for youth climate movements​

How Climate Litigation Empowers Youth Climate Movements?

Register

Practical information

  • When

    Friday 9th February 2024 at 16h CET

  • Where

    Online

  • How

    Register your interest

This event is part of the Legal Seeds 3 project

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This workshop is open for anyone interested in climate litigation and legal campaigns, and how this can be used as a tool by youth climate movements!
 
During this workshop, we will present the Youth Climate Law Hub and hear from some of the prominent initiatives brought by its members. The workshop will also be an opportunity for participants to understand how to join forces in these actions and build a stronger environmental law youth movement in Europe and beyond.
 

Presenters:

Youth and Environment Europe (YEE), World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ), Auroramålet, Victorine Nagels (lawyer)

  1. Presentation by WYCJ: The World’s Youth for Climate Justice is an international youth-led campaign that aims to bring climate change to the ICJ. Among others, we will discuss how we can all join forces in this last stage before the submission.

  2. Presentation by Auroramålet: Auroramålet represents 300 young people who have sued the Swedish state for insufficient climate action. We will discuss why we have chosen human rights-based climate litigation as a tool for climate justice, and what we have learnt that could make it easier for others to do the same. This talk will cover how we manage legal strategy, funding, communications and advocacy with limited resources.

  3. Presentation by YEE: We will discuss and present what are National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), and why it is important for youth to provide feedback and actively participate in them.

  4. Presentation by Victorine Nagels: We will hear from a young lawyer involved in defending young climate activists. Questions for the discussion include: which young people can take legal action and what are the risks? Is the situation different when young people act through an association? What are the situations in which it might be worth taking legal action? What happens when young people have to defend themselves in court?

Have questions? Get in touch!

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Climate Litigation As a Tool for Youth Climate Movements

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Deploying renewable energy while protecting biodiversity

Considering our growing energy needs, is the deployment of renewables compatible with our objectives of biodiversity protection?

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Deploying renewable energy while protecting biodiversity​

Considering our growing energy needs, is the deployment of renewables compatible with our objectives of biodiversity protection?

Register

Practical information

  • When

    Tuesday 30th January 2024 at 17h CET

  • Where

    Online

  • How

    Register your interest

This event is part of the AmPower project

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About the topic

Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to their low carbon footprint. However, it is important to consider the impact of their development on land use and biodiversity. Solar panels and windmills require a significant amount of space, and this can raise concerns regarding their compatibility with biodiversity protection objectives. Data on the average square meter occupied by these renewable energy sources, both onshore and offshore, can give us a clear picture of the scale of land use involved.

Currently, the deployment of solar and wind energy is rapidly increasing globally, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. While renewable energy production contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it can also have negative consequences for local habitats, migration patterns, and biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential environmental impacts when deploying renewables and find ways to minimize harm to ecosystems.

Have you missed the webinar? Watch the recording!

Have questions? Get in touch!

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Speeding up history in the face of war: How the invasion of Ukraine has shaken up the EU’s energy transition plan

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the significance of energy policy as a major power issue. It is an opportunity to break toxic dependence in geostrategic and climate terms.

Written by

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of YEE.

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In its latest report, the International Energy Agency shows that the geopolitical context since the war in Ukraine has had an unprecedented impact on the energy transition. While a number of changes had already been initiated, such as those concerning renewable energies, the war in Ukraine seems to have accelerated them. In addition, European sanctions have massively reduced Russian gas imports into Europe. Under European sanctions, Russia reduced the flow of its gas pipelines to the EU by around 80%, prompting European states to find alternatives in a short space of time. This episode was an opportunity for many member states to reflect on their energy policy and, above all, the energy transition. 

The war in Ukraine revealed that energy policy is a major power issue. This is illustrated by the expression “war ecology” defined by Pierre Charbonnier. According to him, the war in Ukraine is an opportunity to break a toxic dependence, both in geostrategic terms and in terms of climate policy. Achieving energy sufficiency would kill two birds with one stone, by aligning the imperative of coercing the Russian regime with the imperative of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, “the period 2020-2021 was marked by a radical shift in the balance of competitiveness between renewables and existing fossil fuel and nuclear energy options”. So let’s take a look at how the war in Ukraine has affected the energy transition – has it accelerated or slowed it down?

What responses has the EU put in place? 

First of all, there is a desire at the European level to promote the EU’s independence, while also attempting to take account of the climate objectives set out in the European Green Deal.

This is illustrated first and foremost by the introduction of the RePower EU plan. What does this plan consist of? This plan, proposed by the EU a few weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in line with the demands of the 27 member states, aims to massively reduce Russian gas imports, to do without them altogether by 2027. This strategy is based on four pillars: saving energy, replacing Russian fossil fuels with other hydrocarbons, promoting renewable energies and investing in new infrastructures such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

We can therefore see that the EU Commission, while wishing to reduce member states’ dependence on Russia, also aims to achieve the Green Deal’s climate objectives. The strategic objective is linked to the climate objective. Through this plan, it is proposing to increase the EU’s renewable energy target from 40% to a minimum of 42.5% by 2030. To reach this objective, at the end of the year, the EU adopted a regulation aimed at speeding up the procedure for granting construction permits for renewable energy projects. 

Through the RePower EU plan, the EU has also decided to bet on hydrogen, setting a target of 10 million tonnes of domestic production of renewable hydrogen and a similar figure for imports by 2030. The creation of a European Hydrogen Bank is also planned, with the task of investing 3 billion Euros to develop this market on the continent, as announced by Ursula Von Der Leyen during her State of the Union address last September.

Are there any concrete examples of the successful implementation of this plan?

Yes, especially when it comes to the development of renewable energies. After the war, the use of renewable energies rose sharply. Between 2022 and 2023, European renewable energies increased by 57.3 GW. This figure is set to rise further, given that the RED III directive, the result of the RePower EU plan, calls for doubling the share of renewable energies in European energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. This increase in investment in renewable energies has helped bring prices down. However, their role in heating, and especially in transport, is still limited, although growing.

It’s worth noting that this increase in investment in renewable energies has not been confined to Europe alone, as it is China that has increased its renewable energy production capacity the most (+ 141GW)

What initiatives have been put in place at national levels?

Many member states have also taken steps to reduce their dependence on Russian gas imports. In 2022, for example, Lithuania declared its autonomy from the gas pipeline linking it to Russia, thanks to its LNG terminal and links with its neighbours. Shortly afterwards, Poland was able to put the suspension of Gazprom supplies into perspective, thanks to its LNG terminal and cross-border gas pipelines. Co-financed by the EU, the various cross-border gas pipelines have proved invaluable in times of crisis, embodying the principle of solidarity proclaimed in the Treaty of the European Union.  In coastal areas, LNG terminals, previously under-utilized, have made it possible to diversify supplies, even if technical constraints remain between certain member states. 

States have also sought to find other countries that can provide them with energy. So there has been a revival of confidence in nuclear power throughout the EU. Italy and Germany have also sought to establish or renew bilateral partnerships. However, the diversity of national energy mixes and the differing levels of vulnerability between member states could well lead to a situation where each country is left to its own devices.

Finally, the war in Ukraine was also an opportunity for many states to review their position on nuclear energy, as was the case with Germany. 

Can the EU afford the energy ambitions proposed in its RePower EU plan? 

The plan will cost 210 billion euros, and major investments are needed. That’s why InvestEU, the EU’s flagship investment program, was created. Its original aim was to finance a green and digital revival, but with the crisis in Ukraine, the plan is now part of Europe’s drive for emancipation from Russian oil and gas. At present, the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels costs 100 billion euros a year. To free itself from this, an investment of 210 billion euros is required by 2027. However, the EU has already far exceeded 210 billion euros: the 27 countries have spent a combined total of 314 billion euros, bringing the EU’s bill to almost 450 billion euros.

Will Europe emerge stronger from the energy crisis? 

While the oil shocks saw European states reacting in a scattered fashion (not necessarily contradictorily, incidentally), the gas crisis provoked by Russia has confirmed the timeliness and effectiveness of a European approach. This energy crisis has made European countries realise the strategic importance of energy supply and has been the starting point for in-depth reflection on the importance of ensuring their independence.

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Speeding up history in the face of war: How the invasion of Ukraine has shaken up the EU’s energy transition plan

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Call for volunteers | AWG

The YEE Advocacy Working Group is the perfect opportunity to become an influential young leader.

Apply now

7-10 h/ week

EU/Europe

Remote

Start February

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Have questions? Get in touch!

YEE’s Advocacy Working Group is looking for 8 motivated, passionate volunteers to join the team!

About YEE Advocacy Working Group

The Advocacy Working Group (AWG) is a leadership program intended to equip volunteers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mentorship to effectively advocate for environmental concerns during their tenure with YEE, and beyond. Volunteers are being mentored and engaging in peer-to-peer learning; while supporting the Advocacy Team in shaping YEE’s external advocacy positions.

What will you get:

This volunteer position offers valuable insights into working for a large European network of youth-led environmental NGOs, as well as in-depth knowledge of relevant organisations and institutions.

It also provides access to a network of young green activists and professionals and helps develop transferable skills such as time management, organization, and communication, which can boost your CV.

About Liasion Officers (LOs)

The Liaison Officer is a volunteer position of one year term (January 2024 – January 2025). All liaison volunteers will report to and be supported by the YEE Advocacy staff and the External Relations Officer. While committed to specific and diverse tasks within their thematic portfolios, the volunteer liaison officers would effectively make a team – the Advocacy Working Group – intended to support each other. The average commitment would be between 7-10 hours a week, including meetings every two weeks.

Some of the work tasks expected include strengthening communication and advocacy with our partner organisations as well as creating projects and campaigns of their own.

About Regional Contact Persons (RCPs)

The role of the RCPs is to connect and develop communities of YEE’s member organisations on the regional level and work together to strengthen the connections of young people through YEE.

They act as the point of contact between YEE and the member organisations in their region, hosting meetings for the representatives of the member organisations, and linking them with any relevant projects and opportunities from YEE. They also work to strengthen YEE’s presence in and knowledge of their region, contributing with invaluable information for our expanding network.

Application deadline: 28th January 2024

Volunteering positions available

The Liaison Officers on Biodiversity will work in a small team composed of 2 Liaison Officers and the Biodiversity Manager. The aim of the portfolio is twofold. On the one hand, we aim at building capacity on pressing biodiversity issues through a series of workshops and the publication of easily accessible knowledge materials, potentially in collaboration with our Member Organisations (MOs). On the other hand, the LOs will follow first hand the biodiversity advocacy initiatives we are pursuing together with other youth NGOs, such as GYBN, GCE and EU Young Rewilders, and NGOs we are members of, such as CAN-E.

One of the most important examples of such collaboration is the #restorenature campaign.

The LOs will also be the contact persons for the CoE Bern Convention, YEE is an observer of.

The main tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Help our members to engage with our work on biodiversity, through liaising and working on our relationship with MOs and partner organisations (e.g. working on our newsletter and organising collaborative events);
  • 🟢 Work on content creation, such as articles and explainers;
  • 🟢 Represent YEE at the Bern Convention processes (either online or onsite, pending fundings);
  • 🟢 Contribute to the YEE’s biodiversity advocacy strategy, such as through participating on behalf of YEE to legal campaigns and external events.
  • 🟢 Follow the opportunities stemming from our membership to IUCN (tbc, pending approval of application).

The primary role of the Liaison Officer on Climate Justice will be to continue and strengthen YEE’s engagement in UNFCCC processes, in which YEE holds observer status, throughout the year. The Liaison Officer will carry out research and gain expertise on selected UNFCCC negotiation items of interest to them (such as Loss & Damage, Finance, Art 6, Action for Climate Empowerment, or others), engage with our MOs and other youth organisations who are active in UNFCCC processes and/or on the topic of climate change (including NEYCA – the Network of European Youth NGOs for Climate Action), and work to build stronger connections with marginalised persons and organisations active in climate advocacy, particularly those based in the so-called Global South. Great part of this collaboration will be undertaken under the project “Global Dialogues for Climate Justice”, YEE is implementing with our partner WAT-GP.

The main tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Engaging with our MOs active on climate issues, NEYCA, YOUNGO, CAN-E, and other key partners to strengthen our participation in UNFCCC processes;
  • 🟢 Leading joint campaigns and drafting joint position papers in the run-up to UNFCCC processes;
  • 🟢 Contributing to the Global Dialogues for Climate Justice project, co-led by YEE and We Are Tomorrow Global Partnership (WAT-GP), which aims at building stronger connections between European and non-European youth with a view to advocating for climate justice at COP29;
  • 🟢 Leading strategic outreach to marginalised youth communities and youth organisations based in so-called Global South countries working on climate-related topics.

The Liaison Officer on Intersectionality will help the AWG keep a critical, intersectional perspective in all of its projects as well as to create events and campaigns that concern environmental synergies with gender, class, racial, disability and sexuality questions. This would also involve reaching out to and collaborating with organisations YEE may not yet be linked to that pioneer youth work in these areas. Moreover, the LO could choose to incorporate increased work with European Neighbourhood countries.

Key Themes and Questions for the Intersectionality Liaison Officer: 

  • How do environmental questions intersect with: 
    • Race and ethnicity
    • Gender and the livelihood of women
    • LGBTQ+, the topic of queer ecology
    • Disability issues, accessibility and ableism
    • Class disparities 
    • Regional disparities and privilege

The main tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Support the project lead of Empowering the Unheard in organising workshops on intersectional justice;
  • 🟢 Produce toolkits and other material to disseminate knowledge on intersectionality & climate change;
  • 🟢 Assist and work on partnership connections and links to further promote YEE efforts;
  • 🟢 Assist in the planning and execution of a social campaign for Empowering the Unheard.

The LOs on Environmental Policy will follow first hand YEE’s external advocacy, at EU and at International level. The portfolio aims at strengthening YEE’s advocacy on UN environmental governance and at empowering young people to understand and have an active role in the EU parliamentary elections 2024.

For the first time, we are recruiting two volunteers, one on EU and one on international affairs: however, their work is complementary and they will work together in a small team.

Environmental Policy – EU Affairs (1 person) 

The main tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Take over and develop YEE’s advocacy work towards (and beyond) the EU Parliamentary Elections 2024, including
    • Strengthen collaborations with the EEB and other key partners
    • Develop YEE’s strategy for the upcoming elections 
    • Coordinate a communication campaign with YEE’s member organisation with 2 main objectives: 
      • Advertise concrete local actions of the EU “What has the EU done for you?”
      • Call upon young people to go and vote on election day
    • Organise meetings and/or workshops with key EU representatives and leaders to ensure youth voice is heard
  • 🟢 Cover EU parliamentary actions after the election (i.e Appointment of the President of the European Commission, selection of the commissioners, future of the EU Green Deal etc.)
  • 🟢 Strengthen collaboration and work with EESC and its youth representative

 

Environmental Policy – International Affairs (1 person)

The main tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Represent YEE in the MGCY;
  • 🟢 Ensure strong commitment and participation to UN environmental meetings (e.g. UNEA);
  • 🟢 Contribute to the organisation of the RCOY Europe 2024, together with other NGOs YEE is already collaborating with;
  • 🟢 Collaborate with the Climate Justice LO to co-represent YEE in the NEYCA on drafting the EU youth NGOs position paper for COP29 and other international fora.

 

We are looking for three volunteers to join us in the mandate of RCP for the South (currently spanning organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Italy, Kosovo, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Turkey), North (currently spanning organisations from Sweden, Ireland and England) and East (currently spanning organisations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czechia, Georgia, Moldova, Poland and Romania) region.

Your tasks will include:

  • 🟢 Collaborating closely with the regional team, the Member Organisations Officer and the Member Organisations Coordinator to plan, enhance and implement our regional strategy;
  • 🟢 Organising and chairing online regional meetings with member organisations of your area four times a year;
  • 🟢 Keeping the Membership Officer informed about the situation in your region on a regular basis;
  • 🟢 Contributing to the written Annual Regional Report about the status of your region;
  • 🟢 Stimulating and supporting member engagement in YEE activities and projects;
  • 🟢 Reaching out to and enhancing collaboration with youth movements in your region.

RCPs specific requirement: live in the region they are applying to become an RCP for (however, nationality doesn’t matter)​

Requirements

  • have strong written and verbal communication skills and a good level of English
  • have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Drive)
  • be available around 7-10 hours per week
  • be between 18 and 30 years old
  • Be aligned with YEE's core values and mission
  • have a strong interest in advocacy and promoting sustainable policy and green goals
  • be passionate about helping strengthen the voice of youth in European decision-making
  • have a good team spirit and be able to be part of a brand-new team
  • be organised and meet deadlines
  • be willing to extend your leadership and communications skills
,

Call for volunteers | AWG

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It's NECPs time!

Mobilising youth in the NECPs processes

Register

It's NECPs time!

Mobilising youth in the NECPs processes

Register

Practical information

  • When

    Friday 12th January 2024 at 16h CET

  • Where

    Online

  • How

    Register your interest

This event is part of the Legal Seeds 3 project

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Are you interested in a campaign to mobilise youth in the NECPs processes?

 
Join us on Friday 12th January from 16.00 to 17.00 CET for a session in which the YEE Environmental Law team will present the new initiative to launch a campaign to mobilise youth to demand more consideration of young people’s engagement in the NECPs processes.

During the session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and how they can get involved. The YEE Environmental Law team will provide an overview of the NECPs processes and explain how young people can participate in them.

About NECPs

NECPs, or National Energy and Climate Plans, are an important part of the EU’s efforts to combat climate change. They set out each member state’s targets and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency.

Learn more about NECPs in our handbook.

Have questions? Get in touch!

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National Energy & Climate Plans | Webinar

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Call for Trainers

for a training of trainers workshop

Apply now

21.03.2024 - 27.03.2024

500 EUR

Budapest, Hungary

Cost covered

Deadline: 31 December 2023

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Have questions? Get in touch!

We are looking for 2 trainers between the ages of 18 to 30 for an international Training of Trainers workshop on climate activism, and youth work with a focus on young people from rural areas, minorities, marginalized youth and vulnerable groups.

The trainers will have cost of travel, accommodation and food covered, including a service salary of 500 Euros.

The trainers should:

  • be between the age of 18 - 30
  • have experience in facilitation and training
  • be familiar with non-formal education methods of training
  • have knowledge in the field of climate, youth work and activism, and marginalized groups / intersectionality
  • believe in diversity and inclusion and you would like to do something to make your local community more inclusive and environmentally aware
Application deadline: 31st December 2023

Requirements

What will it entail:

  • Work with the Project manager to set up the structure of the training.
  • Support with training preparation ahead of participants arrival
  • Carry 5 days of interactive training sessions using non-formal education methods.
  • Support participants understanding and development.
  • Assist in training activities and facilitation.
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Call for Trainers​

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European Youth Reaction to the Outcomes of COP28

European youth civil society represented by the Network of European Youth NGOs for Climate Action (NEYCA) sends this joint reaction to European leaders in the aftermath of the outcomes of COP28.

The outcomes of COP28 do not respond to our demands or deliver what the world needs: a full, fast, fair, feminist and funded fossil fuel phase-out.

A full, fast, fair, feminist and funded phase-out of all fossil fuels was and still is our demand. Failing to deliver this phase-out is our red line. 

This COP undermines the rights of the youngest and future generations. Holding global warming to within 1.5 °C is critical for the lives of the young people and children of today and tomorrow, as well as others in vulnerable regions and communities, especially the Small Island States. The 1.5° limit is being increasingly threatened and risks being jeopardised. Science should be at the forefront of international climate policy, but instead, the agreed text on the Global Stocktake (GST) creates loopholes in getting to the phase-out we need. The GST text opens the door to the promotion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and nuclear, although these are mostly dangerous distractions and false solutions.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems and the tripling of renewable energies are small but important steps in the right direction, which must be followed above all by equitable financial contributions and ambitious and binding national actions (in the nationally determined contributions – NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While we welcome EU leadership in demanding a fossil fuel phase-out, we cannot ignore the hypocrisy represented by the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists in the EU delegation and the EU incoherence in increasing military spending, including on the military management of the climate crisis, which is largely contributing in destroying our planet. In addition, the EU’s woeful lack of support towards finance and loss and damage is problematic. It is unacceptable that the EU’s political promises were not backed by any financial commitment to ensure that the needed transition, including adaptation, will be just, and that Loss and Damage (L&D) will be secured in the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This, in addition to the accreditation of fossil fuel lobbyists amongst its delegation, tainted the legitimacy of the EU’s positions.

Furthermore, the negotiation of these outcomes behind closed doors, particularly the exclusion of civil society from the discussion, displays a lack of transparency. This is likewise reflected in the removal of references to human rights from the adopted texts.

The fact that these necessary matters and non-negotiable principles are not part of the COP outcomes is not only due to blocking by oil-exporting countries such as Saudi Arabia, but also to the inadequate commitments made by historically responsible parties such as the USA and the EU. As European youth, we demanded the EU to foster its leadership position in climate action worldwide, recognising the responsibility for the colonial history and historic emissions of many of its member states. The many lacunas in EU action at COP made it clear that the effort put into defending the phasing out of fossil fuels was too weak – and there is no time for weak commitments. 

Moreover, the EU’s lack of commitment in promoting public participation of its citizens during COP is concerning. The result was that, among others, many of our colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community and political activists were too intimidated to attend. We deem it crucial to ensure that EU values are respected in international fora, which requires the EU not to turn a blind eye on the challenges presented by the host country, but instead to take a solid stand when the decision on where to host the next COP is being made.

Looking towards COP29, as young Europeans, we demand that democratic representation and the active involvement of civil society prior to, during and after decisions are taken. We look forward to continued partnership with the EU delegation, and to taking a more active role in shaping EU positions within negotiation processes at upcoming COPs and throughout the year. Continuous engagement with civil society, including youth, is imperative to uphold participatory rights. 

Ensuring that the transition away from fossil fuels is fully funded and that the means of implementation are fair and equitable remain our priorities for COP29, and we are looking forward to collaborating further towards ensuring that the EU remains at the forefront of a just green transition.

As we leave the UAE, we stand in solidarity with Palestinian, Israeli and all families who have lost loved ones in this latest conflict. We demand our leaders and representatives do the same. There is no climate justice without human rights.

Help us spread the word! Share this statement

Signatories

This position paper was developed within the Network of European Youth for Climate Action (NEYCA).

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European Youth Reaction to the Outcomes of COP28

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COP28 recap

Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!

COP28 recap​

Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!​

Practical information

  • When

    Friday 21st December 2023 at 15h CET

  • Where

    Online

  • How

    Register your interest

This event is part of the AmPower project

Share This Event

Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network – EYEN, who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!

Did you miss the event?

Watch the recording or read the written summary!

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COP28 recap ​| Webinar

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Health first: The IED cannot deprive pollution victims of their rights

In 2023, toxic pollution has become the norm in Europe, with industrial complexes illegally polluting and causing harm to people's health. The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which governs emissions from various industries, is being updated by EU decision-makers. However, the draft law appears to be inadequate in protecting people from pollution.

Written by

Bellinda Bartolucci, ClientEarth

Alexandros Kassapis, Youth and Environment Europe

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It’s 2023 and exposure to toxic pollution is the norm in Europe.

Across the bloc, people are living in the shadow of industrial complexes that are still polluting illegally, eroding their health, and claiming lives.

This is a rights issue. An estimated 10% or more of Europe’s cancer burden is suspected to relate to pollution exposure, while EU premature deaths related to excessive levels of air pollution chart in the hundreds of thousands each year –
including minors, whose small bodies register big and lasting pollution impacts.

It’s hardly the futuristic picture we’d hoped for.

EU decision-makers are on the cusp of finalising the update of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). It governs the emissions of over 50,000 installations, including steelworks, chemicals and plastics facilities, coal plants and factory farms all over Europe – and it needs to be the most powerful tool to protect people that it can possibly be.

But on the contrary – the draft law looks set to blow over in the wind. From strong beginnings, we’re left with a nearly empty shell as far as people’s rights are concerned.

So what do our lawmakers need to do?

On your doorstep – what does industrial pollution
look like in Europe?

Pollution exposure is not just about isolated incidents – the reality is more insidious. From ‘forever chemicals’ to heavy metals, there are dramatic cases of chronic industrial pollution across Europe. Their impacts are startling reminders that industrial operations can cause severe illness and kill, in 21st century Europe.

There are ample examples of European workers and local residents – particularly children – being impacted by industrial pollution. A 5-year-old has died in Taranto, Italy, from a brain tumour – metal and dust particles from the local steel plant (Italy’s largest) were found in his brain. The local waters can’t be used to raise mussels because of iron dust levels.

Those living near antiquated coal plants in Bulgaria and Poland complain of stinging eyes and report respiratory ill-health. Towns near coal complexes in Bulgaria have been blanketed with air pollution for years – coal regions in the country chart the EU’s highest levels of sulphur dioxide pollution. But the government gave one of the local plants ongoing permission to pollute far above EU limits. 

The above cases were from facilities operating within the law. So it goes without saying that, at least in cases of illegal pollution, anyone suffering from its impacts should be able to go to court and stand a chance of receiving compensation for the damage – no? 

They pollute, you pay – why we need a real route to justice

If a facility is polluting beyond the limits allowed by the law, people suffering from health issues due to this illegal pollution must be able to access the courts for compensation. But the legal set-up right now makes it very difficult for anyone to hold Member States or industries to account. 

The European Commission has acknowledged this injustice and the new IED was supposed to fix this. The law included a new compensation right for victims of illegal pollution. But throughout the process, the real substance of this right has been systematically dismantled over the course of the negotiations – by now, it risks becoming an in-name-only gesture, which contains no actual avenue for people to access their rights.

With the current wording, negotiators have given the chop to the possibility of NGOs standing for sick people in class actions – vital given that in extreme cases, claimants have passed away before they could complete their actions. The law also relieves authorities of all legal responsibility for failing to enforce laws and therefore enabling health damages. 

People across Europe have been pushing for their rights to be reflected in the law. But pressure has been too strong and conflicting information has emerged throughout the process to derail positive lawmaking. This has got in the way of what this law is for: keeping people safe.

Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) have written to EU representatives to urge them to “prioritise health over illegal pollution” and adopt a real, functional compensation right. Along with a host of legal and consumer organisations, we highlighted that an inadequate law would fail people’s fundamental rights – the European Court of Human Rights has confirmed that harmful industrial pollution can give rise to individual compensation.

A turning point for victims of illegal industrial pollution – will lawmakers deliver?

An effective compensation right already exists in competition, data protection, anti-discrimination and consumer laws. It works for all parties involved and it ups compliance from the outset. Why should health be protected less? Contrary to industry claims, none of these types of rules have ever led to excessive litigation. In the case of the IED, only illegal polluters are exposed to the risk of litigation. Companies adhering to the rules have no reason to worry – and will actually benefit from a level playing field across the EU.

There is no justification for failing to apply it in the IED for victims of illegal pollution. This is a no-brainer.

An IED based on justice goes far beyond environmental action –  it is about helping victims on the ground. This is a major opportunity to bring back justice and finally offer protection for citizens across Europe. Missing it would be a statement by EU lawmakers that lawbreakers have officially taken precedence over people’s rights. 

Brussels should take a deep breath and consider this before they give the IED their final seal of approval.

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Health first: The IED cannot deprive pollution victims of their rights

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