Progressive Leaders Declaration for Paris: 21 proposals for COP 21

The world community will have the unique opportunity to tackle dangerous climate change at the […]

Policy Brief

22/10/2015

The world community will have the unique opportunity to tackle dangerous climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21) hosted by François Hollande in December. We European Socialists and Democrats call urgently for an ambitious, dynamic and legally binding agreement at the COP21, to secure a sustainable livelihood for us all.

Human-induced climate change represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies, human beings’ health and ecological systems worldwide. Global warming not only threatens our planet’s future but is also a question of justice. It affects disadvantaged groups more than others. Vulnerable people and communities in all countries at all levels of development are paying the highest price for climate risks. In Europe, children, the poor, and the elderly are most vulnerable and are increasingly exposed to the consequences of climate change. The poorest countries that contributed the least to atmospheric warming are affected the most by its effects. This is why Europe needs reinforced climate change adaptation and genuine North-South cooperation for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Climate change is also a question of intergenerational justice, as delayed action will make it socially, economically and environmentally more costly for the international community and future generations to manage to live with the effects of intensified global warming. This is why we also strongly advocate the adoption of appropriate climate mitigation and adaptation measures before 2020.

For us, European Socialists and Democrats, our fight against climate change’s adverse effects therefore goes hand in hand with our continuous battle against social injustices in Europe and worldwide.

Read the full declaration

Watch the debate organised by FEPS and FJJ

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 Progressive Post
Progressive Post
06/05/2025

Summer is coming, and we are still not ready to face it!

While in Game of Thrones the characters feared winter, in real life, we now fear […]
29/11/2024

Much ado in Baku

Some COPs make history, and other COPs have history done to them. Kyoto in 1997 […]
26/11/2024

COP29: walking the talk, or talking the walk?

COP29, the 29th climate summit since 1995, comes on the heels of several extreme weather […]
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 […]
27/09/2024

Notice of vacancy – Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment

This vacancy closed on 25 October 2024
24/01/2024

Spanish Minister Teresa Ribera awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2023-2024
11/07/2023

A new social contract for the well-being of people and the planet

Call to action on Just Transition
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.