UNited for Climate Justice – New York Conference

On the occasion of this year’s annual conference taking place on the fringes of the […]

28/10/2019

On the occasion of this year’s annual conference taking place on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly under the support of UN Secretary General A. Guterres, The Foundation for European Progressive Studies and its partners in this initiative brought the timely and urgent question of Climate Justice to New York city.

After a year-long journey of gathering many high-level experts, academics, members of the civil society, business and politicians, FEPS is glad to have fostered in New York (19-21st September 2019) such a urgent discussion on how to face environmental injustices stemming from social and economic injustices with progressive values. The United for Climate Justice Steering Committee, chaired by Hon. Minister Teresa Ribera has put forward an extremely relevant policy paper with five guiding proposals aimed at the Progressive family. Do you want to get to know our proposals in a 2’ minutes video? Click right here

Kicking- off with a photo exhibition by award-winning photographer, Ashley Cooper, FEPS and its partners welcomed all speakers and participation’s on Thursday 19th September, followed by a two-day conference “United for Climate Justice”. On Friday 20th September, after the opening remarks by FEPS President, Maria João Rodrigues, we had the honor of welcoming Hon. President Mary Robinson who delivered a very inspiring keynote speech stressing the need for political will but also to not underestimate the power of the youth and the women to be strong actors of climate action.

On that same morning, Luis Alfonso de Alba shared a few insides and prospects of the extraordinary Climate Summit. Then, we had the opportunity to hear a deeply emotional call from Edel Moraes (Amazonia), an insightful presentation by Maria Damanaki but also the chance to discuss with Laurence Tubiana, MEP Javi López, Benedicta Lasi, Rick Smith and Michael Williams on how to take responsibilities to bring about effective and sustainable climate action. Closing the first day with a call for action, Maj Jensen and László Andor invited all the participants and speakers to get a dose of real activism and join on the NYC Climate Strike with Greta Thunberg.

On the second day (Saturday 21st September) László Andor welcomed Hon. Minister Teresa Ribera who shared interesting insights on the work of the United for Climate Justice Steering Committee but also on her Ministerial function ahead of the Summit and the COP 25 in Chile. Following that, we were privileged to welcome many high level speakers such as Sharan Burrow, MEP Miriam Dalli, Arancha González, Minister Heyman (Canada), Minister Dan Jørgensen (Denmark), Andrea Horwath and a representative from Minister Keriako Tobiko (Kenya). They engaged in a lively discussion on how to make climate ambitions a reality, sharing best-practices but also the different challenges each would face to make it happen. Delivering the closing remarks, Maria João Rodrigues highlighted the great inputs that happened throughout the conference but also the FEPS mission to continue fostering a progressive, positive and participatory discussion on Climate Justice.

Looking for more information on the initiative and its main outcomes? Have a look at the Executive Summary with a foreword of FEPS Secretary General, László Andor.

Check out here the pictures of the event and our participation at the NYC Climate March.

Do you want to hear more from our high-level speakers? You can also find our interviews with

  • Hon. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, President of the Mary Robinson Foundation, Chair of the Elders here (interviewed by Lászlo Andor, FEPS Secretary General)
  • Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation here (interviewed by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President)
  • Edel Moraes, Vice President, National Council of Local Communities, Brazil here (in PT only) (interviewed by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President)
  • Céline Charvériat, Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy here (interviewed by Lászlo Andor, FEPS Secretary General)
  • Ana Pirtskhalava, IUSY Secretary General here (interviewed by Lászlo Andor, FEPS Secretary General)

Read the article by FEPS President Maria Joao about the UN Climate Action summit

 

Find all related publications
Publications
05/05/2025

Shaping a European budget fit for climate action and a just transition

The negotiations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – the long-term budget at […]
28/02/2025

Moving towards an inclusive green agenda in the Western Balkans

Balkan Focus Series
17/02/2025

Expected labour market effects of the Green Deal Industrial Plan (2)

A regional labour policy approach
29/01/2025

Progressive Yearbook 2025

2024 was announced as a ‘super election’ year. In fact, about half of the world’s […]
Find all related events
Events
Past
11/04/2025
FEPS HQ, Brussels (Stakeholder meeting)

Roadmap to the next MFF

Supporting Just Transition and cohesion
29/01/2025
FEPS HQ, Brussels

FEPS New Year Reception & Progressive Yearbook launch

6th edition
06/12/2024
FEPS HQ, Brussels

Industrial Renewal – No strategy, no party

Policy study launch
Find all related news
News
26/02/2025

FEPS reaction to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal

What Teresa Ribera presented today is an ambitious plan that makes the case for Europe […]
15/11/2024

Ahead of G20, FEPS president at the T20 and C20 Summit 2024

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues actively participated in the T20 and C20 Summits 2024, held […]
27/09/2024

Notice of vacancy – Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment

This vacancy closed on 25 October 2024
23/09/2024

FEPS at the United Nations Summit of the Future

FEPS participated in the Summit of the Future, which took place in New York on 22 and 23 September […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

COP climate talks not fit for purpose and need reform, say climate leaders

by Reuters 15/11/2024
Read this Reuters article about the open letter calling for a comprehensive reform of the climate conferences, with Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President, among the signatories

Las COP ya “no sirven” y deben ser reformadas, claman expertos en política climática

by La Vanguardia 15/11/2024
"COPs are “no longer useful” and in need of reform, say climate policy experts" Read this article of La Vanguardia about an open letter sent to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, calling for a comprehensive reform of the climate conferences. Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President, is among the signatories.

Ласло Андор: Европа трябва да създаде нов модел за икономически растеж

by dir.bg 14/03/2024
'Europe must create a new model for economic growth'. Interview by Laszlo Andor, FEPS Secretary General

Цената на прехода – зелен, дигитален и демографски

by BNT 13/03/2024
'The cost of transition - green, digital and demographic' BNT Interview with László Andor about the three major transformations the world is facing.