Oxfam stunt in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, calling for EU policies as part of the campaign ‘food not fuel’. (Photo: Oxfam)
The climate crisis poses the greatest threat to people and our planet with millions already suffering its consequences worldwide. Our current energy production and consumption model are at the core of this crisis.
The EU has committed to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Yet, without changes to the current policies, that target will be missed. Time is running out: the shift to clean energy must happen now, and it must be coupled with a focus on social justice. In 2022, over 750 million people worldwide lived without access to electricity while more than 41 million Europeans struggled to adequately heat their homes – nearly four times the population of Belgium. Since then, the situation has worsened.
A significant share of emission reductions rely on policies that expand land use to make bioenergy. Such land-hungry ‘net zero’ policies are a threat to global food security. They could drive an 80 percent increase in food prices, exacerbating hunger. This danger is now compounded by the war in Ukraine which has seen food prices spike to record highs.
Before 2050, Europe must entirely decarbonise all sectors of its economy
Europe must also reduce its energy demand, shift entirely to sustainable renewable energy, eliminate all fossil-fuel subsidies and support for crop-based biofuels.
To support low-income countries increase their climate targets and adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis, it is critical that European countries scale up their climate finance.
Spark Climate Action Program
Oxfam also runs climate action programs for young climate activists to turn up the heat on the EU’s climate inaction. This training consists of an online training program and a face-to-face event in Brussels for young climate activists interested in learning about EU and global climate policies.