Protect Our Future: Green/EFA Recovery And

PROTECT OUR FUTURE

Greens/EFA Recovery and Resilience Plan More than ever, people in Europe and everywhere understand that with solidarity and cooperation we can overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Together, we can make another European and global future, one that is more socially, economically and environmentally resilient. The question to all of us is: what world do we want to return to? Towards a socially, economically and environmentally resilient society

© Picture credit: Dan Burton on Unsplash More ambition, solidarity and Furthermore, even though there cooperation are the key to building have since been bilateral cooperation a new socially, economically and initiatives to share information and the environmentally resilient model for healthcare burden, despite the scale the EU and EU-wide nature of the economic impact, European leaders were unable to decisively agree on a fair The COVID-19 crisis, first recognised way to share the economic burden. by the WHO on 31/12/2019, less than 3 months later became a Also regrettably lacking was global pandemic that has wrought coordination at EU-level of the unprecedented havoc on almost every economic and social shutdowns nation on earth. intended to slow the spread of the virus. Emergency powers that curtail All over Europe thousands of families freedoms have been also been adopted are confronted with tragic losses and without coordination or proportionality fear for their health and that of their checks. Some appear necessary and loved ones. Millions face the prospect proportionate, others such as those in of losing their livelihood and grave Hungary, undermine the very values on economic consequences. In many parts which the EU is based. of Europe schools remain shut and the majority of the population is confined The EU and its Member States to their homes. will urgently need to agree on a coordinated and responsible When the pandemic reached the strategy for gradually loosening the European Union (EU) in February, public health measures designed Governments and EU institutions to control the spread of the virus alike were completely unprepared and a coordinated EU recovery and for the devastating effect on health resilience-building strategy. systems, food systems, society, the workplace and the wider economy. Only The very credibility of the EU will the outstanding courage and effort be irrevocably damaged unless of nurses, doctors, firefighters and so solidarity and coordination are many others saved our health systems the basis for the massive effort from collapse. required to recover from the social and economic damage resulting from In the initial phase solidarity between the crisis and ensure resilience for the EU Member States was regrettably future. lacking when Italy rapidly saw its health system overwhelmed and was This reconstruction must not only forced to shut down a large part of ensure that lost livelihoods and its economy and all of its education damaged infrastructure are system and most Italians were confined replaced but that the EU’s social, to their homes. economic and environmental sustainability is guaranteed.

4 This means a combined investment More than ever we Europeans and socio-economic reform program have seen the crucial role that reinforcing the robustness of health digitalisation plays in our society: and other public services, ensuring it has enabled many to keep working, fairness, solidarity and stability in socialising, accessing vital services and the economic and monetary union entertainment despite the lockdown and, above all, doing whatever it and brought home the importance takes to avoid the environmental of closing the digital divide and catastrophe that is the biggest threat ensuring the respect of privacy and of all to our collective wellbeing. rights in the digital world.

These difficult few weeks have given all More than ever we Europeans of us new insights into the strengths understand that the religion of and weaknesses of our societies. We economic efficiency, that delivers have learnt a lot about what keeps cheap goods and disregards us going, but also what we have to planetary boundaries, leads to change. structural vulnerability that results in socially and economically More than ever, we Europeans see the expensive crises. importance of strong cooperation and solidarity to face collective The crisis response must recognise economic, social and environmental and address the roots of this lack of threats. resilience:

More than ever we Europeans • Decades of focus on austerity understand the immeasurable and keeping public budget value of well-funded and well-run expenditures low, including after public services and safety nets the 2008 financial crisis, have cut that underpin stable and inclusive deeply into public sectors that are societies and economies that truly now regarded crucial for our society. work for all people. • The export-driven food strategy More than ever, we Europeans adopted by the European Union puts understand the essential importance some of its citizens at risk of not having of food sovereignty. In that respect, it access to food, while the deterioration is crucial that the Common Agricultural of nature as well as pesticide use Policy (35% of the EU budget) be worsen the quality of life of many. fundamentally transformed. Instead of being driven by productivism and • The effects on health are not global markets it must become a properly considered in all policies powerful driver for the resilience of our and the growing privatization of societies, delivering a positive impact our health systems have been for health, climate, biodiversity and detrimental to ensuring access to jobs health care for all citizens. The lack of investments from governments

5 into public health systems have collectively to build the greener, put citizens at risk and weaken our resilient, fairer, gender equal, more abilities to face crises. stable and democratic EU that we need • The dogma that the role of markets is mainly to ensure ever It would be abject surrender to invest cheaper production, has led to scarce resources in returning to the over stretched and vulnerable “business as usual” that has proved supply chains and made the so fragile or put aside or cancel any of EU dependent on countries the EU’s past achievements or existing like India and China for crucial ambitions. medicines and medical equipment, and has created monopolies in Let us come together, now, to harness the pharmaceutical industry the incredible collective wealth of determining the price and ownership material and intellectual resources of of potential vaccines. the people in Europe to turn the Green Deal, the Pillar of Social Rights and • The same big companies that Sustainable Development goals, the have been focusing on short- Economic and Monetary Union, the term profits instead of decently Single Market, the Digital Strategy paying employees and building and a common vision for the Future up resilience are now asking to of Europe into the most ambitious be rescued with public money. social, economic and environmental It is clear that they must at least transformation the World has ever be required to address their seen. shortcomings in return.

• The overexploitation of nature REORGANISING OUR HEALTH with destruction of habitat, killing SYSTEMS TO PUT SAFETY OF biodiversity and unsustainable PATIENTS AND WORKERS FIRST uses of natural resources - is a direct cause of the transfer First and foremost, this crisis is a of viruses from wild animals to health crisis. In the midst of the humans. This is just one aspect of COVID-19 crisis, it is clearer than the danger of treating the planet ever that European cooperation is as an infinite flexible resource. profoundly important in facing cross- The crisis has underlined the border challenges such as epidemics. need for global action to respect It is therefore essential to enhance the planetary boundaries disaster preparedness at the European that define the safe space for level. To do so, we need to reinforce humans within nature. the role of the EU in that area. First, by focusing on prevention, increasing the It would be a tragic failure of resources of different dedicated EU leadership and vision not to seize agencies, starting with the European the moment to act decisively and Centre for Disease Prevention and

6 Control. Indeed, independent high- affordability of the future vaccines level expert groups we can rely on and treatments due to our current in times of difficult decision-making system of protection of intellectual are a necessity. Knowledge is also property. To solve this situation, the key in the effective management of EU needs to support and invest in the a crisis. We saw how important it was diversification and the re-localisation to gather information on stocks of of medical devices and pharmaceutical medicines, availability of Intensive productions, in a spirit of cooperation, Care beds and medical devices. That is not competition. The EU also needs why we need to have databases that to create an EU public laboratory in aggregate all the information needed charge of producing a minimum of and start stockpiling to be better active substances to avoid relying prepared. Experts should also define entirely on private companies when disaster response plans, organise it comes to citizen’s health safety. regular stress tests and organise Treatments and vaccines should be a European Health force in all EU available and affordable for all, which hospitals, specifically trained to face will necessitate an increase in public different types of crisis, partly paid funding and a change in the R&D by the EU, but working in hospitals as model for pharmaceuticals based on part of the medical staff. This Health open science, transparency of R&D force should be put together as soon costs but also the waving of any as possible to ensure a strong network restrictions on scientific research and of trained health workers throughout compulsory licensing of patent rights the EU, which could be activated for on pharmaceutical products. emergency response in crisis regions at short notice. It would be an important step towards coordinated action and A RECOVERY PLAN THAT ensuring the same level of protection WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE for all EU citizens. AND THE PLANET The regrettable situation created Trillions of euros of public money have by the lack of stock of necessary been spent since the beginning of material and medicines in certain the crisis to ensure our public health member states shed light on the quasi systems could cope with the scale absence of EU production of some of of the emergency. It was essential them (masks, tests, or pain-killers in to ensure that as many lives as particular) placing the EU at risk of possible could be saved, to keep the shortages of these essential medical economy afloat and avoid the massive products in times of crises. Relying on unemployment that would otherwise imports from only a few companies in spread as a result of the necessary third countries is not only problematic confinement. Supporting European in environmental and health terms, households in these difficult times, but also a breach of sovereignty and in particular those most exposed and security. But the crisis also raised many vulnerable, is crucial. Greens all over questions about the availability and Europe have been very supportive of

7 those emergency measures. But now targets and a clear and binding that we slowly turn from emergency plan to become climate-neutral response measures to the long-term by 2050 at the latest, prioritising recovery of our societies, we must be direct emissions reduction and very careful not to repeat the same energy efficiency. Such disclosure mistakes made in the aftermath of the should follow at least the 2019 2008 financial crisis. People and the Guidelines of the European planet - not big companies and their Commission on reporting climate- shareholders - should be at the core related information. In addition, all of this Recovery Plan. We cannot allow measures adopted as part of the big companies that have been focusing Recovery Package should clearly on short-term profits instead of taking exclude direct or indirect support care of their employees and building to the nuclear, coal and other resilience in their business models to fossil fuel industries. A binding be rescued with public money without European regulatory framework any condition. We must also ensure must be put in place to ensure that the recovery does not damage big companies, banks, insurances environmental and climate efforts, as and other financial actors reduce we saw in 2010 with the rise of EU CO2 their ecological footprint and emissions. that their activities don’t lead to deforestation and other ecosystem A European common framework is degradations. needed to be applied to national recovery schemes, ensuring public • Recovery programs are meant to money all over Europe is targeted to avoid lay-offs as much as possible, projects revitalising local economies, commit to and implement equal creating high quality jobs for the future, pay between women and men for and ensuring the necessary transition work of equal value, adopt just to a climate-neutral, environmentally transition plans to ensure the sustainable, zero-pollution and fully training and relevant retraining of circular economy. Small and medium workers towards a green transition enterprises are at the core of this new and avoid further flexibilization and economy. precariousness of jobs.

In particular: • All companies, especially big • All big companies, including businesses and multinationals, banks, insurances and financial should not be allowed to pay out actors, receiving public financial dividends, bonuses or to buy back support should be required to shares for at least the next 2 disclose publicly how they intend years and, ideally, as long as the to align their economic activities economy has not substantially to the objective of limiting global recovered from the damage warming under 1.5°C. This must resulting from the COVID-19 take the form of science-based and crisis. Moreover, the time has company-wide emission reduction come to fundamentally reform

8 the economic model by promoting Once a year, as part of the European the notion of a just economy that Semester, the European Commission genuinely serves the people and should publicly report on the use of not the other way around. CEOs’ public financial support as part of the salaries should be capped, and Recovery Package and the extent to any public support or bailout which such conditionality is respected. should be strictly conditioned to demonstrable contributions to the public good. Bail-out should TOWARDS A SOCIAL, ECONOMIC also be excluded for companies AND ENVIRONMENTAL avoiding paying tax by fiscal RESILIENT SOCIETY dumping or having subsidiaries without real economic activity in After the health crisis and recovering tax havens (which should include from the immediate lockdown of at least the “blacklist” and the our economy, we will see a long- “greylist” of non-cooperative term economic recession, where our jurisdictions but also Member European economy will face huge States flagged in the European challenges of downfall in demand and Semester country reports). Bail- high numbers of unemployed. This out should also be accompanied will require a massive investment plan with a sort of anti-abuse clause so to bring Europe back on its feet. This that if a company receiving public investment plan must prepare the funds is later identified has not European Union for a new socially and complying with current corporate environmentally just economy as a rules, such public funds should be part of a society that is resilient to any reimbursed. future challenge. There is no way back to business as usual. The European • When European funds are Union should lead the way to a fair distributed to Member States, the society of the global commons. latter must be fully transparent about how they spend the funds and regularly report this information back to the European Commission. While it is necessary that the funds reach those most in need as quickly as possible, paying out unprecedented amounts of money in a very short time also increased the risk of misuse and fraud. We must therefore guarantee that the use of funds can be comprehensively and effectively investigated, and if applicable, their misuse be sanctioned.

9 ECONOMY

A MASSIVE SUSTAINABLE Besides the active use of the ECB INVESTMENT PLAN firepower, whose robust contributions so far is welcomed, this massive sustainable The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted investment plan, will mobilise all fiscal our - already fragile - European (with the EU budget as key instrument economies as never before in but also national, regional and local peacetime. Governments and public budgets), and financial (mainly the EIB) entities, including the European tools we have in order to finance, in the Union, have been called upon to short term, a stimulus package with save the economy, whatever it takes, the Green Deal at its core to recover from the worst downturn in living from the economic downturn and, memory and will play a crucial role in in the longer run, investment and relaunching our economies after the regulatory reform to transform our outbreak. We have to acknowledge economies and make them truly that the capacity to invest of EU resilient while showing solidarity with members differs widely. We must third countries and aligned with the care tackle regional imbalances also economy. Certain economic sectors, within member states, and enhance like tourism, are gravely affected by the the ability of the poorest regions to outbreak, and support to the impacted recover and to protect themselves regions must limit the social impact of against future shocks. the crisis and at the same time set the respective sectors on track for a more For this reason, we need an sustainable future. unprecedented and massive sustainable investment plan, Considering the disproportionate mobilising as much as 5 trillion euros economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis over the next 12 years which will pave on women, all EU investment decisions the way to a long-term, socially and must undergo a gender impact environmentally resilient, job-rich assessment. In order to ensure gender economic recovery that is inclusive and equality, detailed gender budgeting gender responsive. must underpin all investment decisions.

11 FINANCING THIS MASSIVE sectors, including the banking INVESTMENT PLAN sector with business models that are environmentally, socially or simply The cost of the massive sustainable economically unsustainable. investment plan should be borne jointly by all EU members according Preserving the very same macro- to their economic strength and, in economic, fiscal and regulatory the private economy, those who framework, subsidizing the very benefitted from the pre-crisis unfair same harmful economic sectors or economic model, particularly those perpetuating the very same way of who benefited from tax evasion, producing, consuming, transporting or tax avoidance or corruption should trading that have made our economies bear far more of the cost of recovery lacking in resilience, would only than those who contributed their fair lead to the same kinds of disaster in share. Consequently, the financing the future. If “insanity is doing the of the massive investment plan same thing over and over again and will be crucial in order to ensure expecting different results” we have to solidarity among EU citizens, among change our economic model. the member states but also with third countries. We must move towards a new macroeconomic, fiscal and regulatory This plan must be financed by a mix framework which will ensure a robust of Eurobonds (to the tune of at least and resilient economic system fitting 1 trillion euros) and new EU revenues within the boundaries of our planet coming from new environmental and ensuring inclusiveness and non- taxes (such as the Carbon Border discrimination, within and outside the Adjustment Mechanism, pesticides, EU by reducing economic, social and plastic and the Kerosene Tax) or territorial inequalities. Furthermore, contributions from the multinationals, resilient public services, particularly particularly from the digital sector, healthcare systems and the care and the financial sector (such as a sector, which have proven their added Financial Transaction Tax). value in preventing the worsening of the crisis and which have limited financial buffers, will need to be TOWARDS A NEW more appropriately funded. The care MACROECONOMIC, FISCAL & economy ought to be a pillar of the REGULATORY FRAMEWORK post-crisis economy and value created in this sector must be accounted for in Financing a massive investment plan the calculation of GDP. will not be sufficient to overcome this crisis and prevent the next. The Investing in the circular economy massive investment plan should not and in Research, Development and be yet another form of indiscriminate Innovation will be crucial to move “corporate welfare” used to rescue towards a more climate-resilient companies, businesses and economic economy and could be the first

12 step towards a coherent EU-wide industrial policy. Moreover SMEs - including start-ups - are severely hit by the crisis and will require financial support in order to avoid massive and unprecedented layouts. Re- localisation, in certain sectors, such as food, health and pharmaceutical productions, should be supported in order to be less dependent from global supply chains. However, if financial support should be generously granted to keep companies afloat, especially in the most hard hit sectors, profit making with the financial support should not be allowed and it should be mainly used to push for a more environmentally and socially sustainable production.

13 SOCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT

The scale of social damage resulting internships or ensure worker status from the COVID-19 outbreak is for non-standard workers, such as unprecedented. We need universal platform workers. social security systems in the European Union as a human right and to serve as We need to ensure that everyone in the stabilizers in case of future crises: this EU receives a poverty-proof minimum means protecting everyone and making income (taking into account the gender sure people have enough to eat and live dimension) and we need a concrete a healthy life, which is in the interest action plan to end in-work poverty, of our society as a whole. To step up including EU-wide living wages as and ensure inclusiveness and non- still too many workers work hard and discrimination after the crisis, we need don’t earn enough income for them a real social Union. and their families to live a decent and healthy life. The European Union should create quality jobs with the ability to CREATE QUALITY acquire the skills we all need to ensure SUSTAINABLE JOBS a social, gender-equal and inclusive just transition. Member States are also The social impacts of the crisis will be invited to seriously explore the option felt long after the end of the sanitary of basic universal income schemes as a crisis. The European Union should social buffer for future crises. boost decent universal social support schemes, unemployment and other The post-crisis recovery plan should social benefits to all people, including ensure it addresses a harsh reality: lowest-paid workers, freelancers, self- women remain poorer, because of employed and young workers. Job lower wages, reduced pensions or other creation must be at the core of diminished forms of income. As shown recovery and to prevent the arising by the crisis, most of the essential jobs of more precarious jobs in the future. and informal care work keeping our Legislative action should be presented economy afloat during the lockdown to ban zero-hour contracts, end the were performed by women but they are practice of unpaid post-graduate still paid less than men for the same jobs

15 and their contribution remains largely measures to ensure gender equality, undervalued. The European Commission a child-friendly society and protect cannot postpone any action on this persons in a vulnerable situation, such matter as work of equal value deserves as people with disabilities, asylum equal pay. seekers, undocumented migrants, refugees, prisoners and minorities. PUT SOCIAL, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE The European Union should invest in its future and our youth: the COVID-19 AND WELL-BEING AT THE crisis will make it even harder for young HEART OF OUR SOCIETY professionals to enter the job-market The COVID-19 crisis has clearly because of reduced employment. That is demonstrated one thing: we need why the EU needs to boost funding and much more public investment into key deliver on a binding Youth Guarantee services that are vital to our society and across the EU to prevent long-term guarantee the fulfilment of our human youth unemployment. European rights: health, education, culture, education systems need to be improved housing, environmental justice to name and the EU should present a European just a few, irrespective of residence or Child Guarantee so that by 2030 no migration status. Asylum seekers will be child or youngster in the EU is at risk among the most negatively impacted of poverty or social exclusion. Climate persons by this unprecedented crisis. change education should be the centre The European Union should provide of a paradigm shift in which the whole of a new solidarity mechanism so that society takes part, with a special focus all Member States equally share the on children and youth, who will lead the dignified reception of these people, change in future generations. already living in a vulnerable situation.

We need a new “Care Deal for Europe”, COMBAT GENDER BASED in order to put the notion of care back VIOLENCE at the centre of our social response to the crisis. Care, social and education One of the dramatic consequences of services should be available to all the COVID-19 outbreak is the increased people living in Europe. For this, reported number of gender-based the massive public investment plan and intra-family violence across must improve formal care work and Europe. With millions of Europeans in recognise informal care (e.g. via care lockdown, current support mechanisms credits), a European framework on for women and children, victim of housing as there is a tremendous domestic violence are hindered. We under-investment in housing (which need increased funding to support would also help tackle homelessness these victims and for the EU to and create jobs), a revision of our ratify the Istanbul Convention and work-life balance rules, substantial the Commission to urgently make a investments in promoting mental legislative proposal to combat gender- health in health and social services and based violence.

16 ENVIRONMENT

The current crisis shines an unforgiving zero-pollution and fully circular light on how the fulfilment of our most economy by 2040. This is the only way basic needs relies now on fragile, to face the existential threat posed by unsustainable systems. This crisis also climate change and the massive loss of finds its very origin in deforestation biodiversity. The European Green Deal and protected animal traffic and was remains more than ever the basis worsened by poor quality environment for our future development model. (notably air pollution). We must start It should even be reinforced to ensure to implement the changes which will all investment efforts do no harm to allow us to mitigate and to go through the climate nor to the environment and the next crisis, within the limits of our even act as a win-win out of the crisis: ecosystems. • The Union should step up its climate ambition by enshrining THE GREEN DEAL: into the Climate Law the objective OUR BASIS FOR THE FUTURE of reducing its economy-wide emissions by -65% by 2030 and The current crisis revealed once of reaching climate-neutrality by again the interdependence between 2040 at the latest. The Recovery human health, the well-being of our Package should kick-start the societies and of the natural systems transformation of our economy on which they depend. For Europeans and ensure all sectors are put on a to live well within the limits of the path towards climate-neutrality. planet, our modes of production and consumption need a radical change. • Stepping up EU action to While reducing our impact on wildlife protect and restore domestic and and biodiversity could help us prevent global biodiversity can act as a the emergence of a new zoonotic win-win for avoiding the spread of disease like Covid-19, we need to new zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 ensure that all sectors of the economy while addressing the unprecedented fully contribute to achieving a climate- biodiversity crisis we are facing. The neutral, environmentally sustainable, Commission should introduce legally

18 binding targets of protecting at least chains and therefore to help the 30% of Europe’s land and seas and fight against deforestation and the of restoring at least 30% of Europe’s protection of the biodiversity. ecosystems by 2030, and strongly support the adoption of such • Stepping up the EU’s fight equivalent targets at the global level. against environmental pollution, Current EU nature and biodiversity in particular air pollution, Recovery laws should be complemented funds should be invested in clean within a year by a Nature Restoration technologies for heavily polluting Regulation to ensure such targets sectors, such as agriculture, are enshrined into law. At least chemicals and transport, to ensure €150bn should be mobilised over the the industries recover along a next 10 years for the implementation future-proof and sustainable path of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. towards zero pollution. A zero- The Intergovernmental Science- pollution action plan for air, Policy Platform on Biodiversity and water and soil, and a chemicals Ecosystem Services (IPBES) should strategy for sustainability are be tasked to publish a thorough needed more than ever. They review of the global scientific should aim at preventing any form knowledge on the impacts of of pollution and reducing it to biodiversity loss and the broader levels that are no longer harmful to effects of human activity on the human health and the environment natural world on the emergence of so as to live well, within the planet’s pandemics such as COVID-19. Finally, ecological limits. The chemicals as the third destination of illegal strategy for sustainability needs wildlife traffic as well as an exporter, to close the regulatory gaps the EU must lead the fight against in EU chemicals legislation, environmental criminality. achieving rapid substitution of substances of very high concern • The EU should unilaterally take the and other hazardous chemicals, lead by adopting more legislation on including endocrine disruptors, mandatory due diligence, as already very persistent chemicals, done in specific areas such as certain neurotoxicants and immuno- conflict minerals and timber, in order toxicants, as well as tackling the to enable the tracing of supply chains combination effects of chemicals, to the origins of the raw materials and nano-forms of substances and to include the due diligence obligation exposure to hazardous chemicals with regard to environmental, social from products. In particular, and human rights on companies pesticides, which are applied at each step of the supply chain. to more than 30 % of European Such legislation would also be a very landscape, should be addressed by pertinent tool to impose mandatory implementing the proposals of the due diligence obligations on both PEST committee’s final report into upstream and downstream operators legislation. in forest-risk commodity supply

19 • The Commission should speed up over exports, preferring shorter the adoption of harmonized criteria supply chains and avoiding trade for the definition of economic agreements that are endangering activities that should be phased our local basic production. Relying out as they significantly harm on imports from third countries climate and the environment. This for these is not only problematic “brown taxonomy” should act at an environmental level, it can as a compass to avoid public and compromise our food security private spending being injected and sovereignty, and is often to in and locked into the old fossil- the detriment of both parties, as dependent, overproducing and our export-based model floods throwaway economy. developing markets with cheap food. An agro-ecological model has INVESTING IN AND the potential to provide healthy and PROTECTING THE LOCAL environmentally friendly food to all European. PRODUCTION OF FOOD One of the big shocks of this crisis is • This diversification and re- the realisation that the access to some localisation needs to be done within of the EU citizens’ basic needs, and the limits of the EU ecosystem, in particular food and health, is much which means we also need to more fragile than many thought. Whilst support the more sustainable and food is still on EU shelves, prices have robust options (for example by been very unstable. The lack of farm ensuring 30% of our farmland is workers will massively impact the organic by 2030) and decrease production of fruits and vegetables, certain productions to the benefit of and disturbance in the trade of inputs others (for example setting targets (fertilisers, pesticides, seeds and animal to reduce meat consumption, feed) is affecting production deeply, whilst reorganising the meat sector and might even lead to the collapse through a plant protein plan and of certain sectors. During this crisis, higher animal welfare standards), as difficulties in live animal transport well as strengthening the conditions (within the EU and to/from third farmers need to fulfil, to be eligible countries) have drawn further attention for public support. to the need to reduce and re-localise this production, given the animal • Re-localisation requires that we welfare and food security implications. decrease input dependency in the European food sovereignty is far from food sector, notably by supporting achieved. To solve this situation, the a -50% pesticide use target in 2025 EU needs to support and invest in the (-80% by 2030 and phasing out diversification and the re-localisation of pesticide use by 2035) and a -50% productions. synthetic fertilisers use target in 2030 in the Farm to Fork Strategy, • This means to be able to prioritize a strictly implemented Sustainable internal and regional markets Use of Pesticides Directive and

20 strengthening the future CAP. To RESTART THE ECONOMY enable shorter supply chains to THROUGH BOOSTING thrive, we need to maintain good RENEWABLE ENERGY, quality green jobs in rural areas. It BUILDINGS RENOVATION, is all the more vital in this crisis to CLEAN TRANSPORTS AND equalize payments among farmers in different member states, to prevent DECARBONISATION the vanishing of farms in some Instead of refurbishing a system that regions of European Union. has shown its weakness, the EU should seize this occasion to revitalize the • Public procurement should also economy post-COVID-19 through play its role in the development of legally binding targets and targeted local food systems, by giving priority investments allowing our society to be to sustainable regional and internal better prepared against future crises markets. - new pandemics, the already ongoing climate crisis or the consequences of • The resilience of our food system the ecosystem collapse. Sectors that relies on having a multitude of combine a high local and quality-job small farmers and small fishers creation potential, the potential to towards which EU support should revitalize our territories while reducing be directed. We should also make bills for households and reducing our sure the economic recovery in the collective ecological footprint should agricultural and fisheries sector be prioritized: is not done at the expense of environmental or social protection. • Launching the Renovation Wave: The necessary shift towards organic An ambitious and holistic building farming, as well as sustainable renovation strategy targeted to the forestry, can also provide community level, accompanied by employment opportunities. an inclusive and gender-balanced skills strategy, will stimulate local • A major tool to achieve these economies, while supporting goals is a strong shift in the future societal cohesion and healthier Common Agricultural Policy, which is living conditions for all. A renovation accounting for more than 35% of the wave that incorporates the circular European budget. economy and a life cycle approach on an industrial scale would • Finally, transparency should be contribute to achieving societal and ensured concerning the distribution environmental goals. An increased of CAP and EMFF funds, in order to renovation rate must be coupled guarantee the cessation of harmful with minimum energy performance subsidies and that small-scale standards and the NZEBs (Nearly fishers and farmers are the principal zero energy building) objective. beneficiaries of the EU budget and Renovations must be undertaken Covid-investment plan. in a holistic and inclusive manner (estimated impact: >€75 billion/year

21 of public incentives necessary to climate action. It means more trams, ensure an energy efficient building more regular and zero-emission stock by 2050; up to 2 million local buses and true intermodality jobs). in our cities; an EU action plan and large scale financial support • Unlocking the job creation for the upgrading, extension potential of renewables in Europe, and maintenance of railways, in particular by boosting the demand investments in trains, night-trains, for small-scale photovoltaic panels. cross-border rail connections Bring forward a pan-European and other rail transport related Solar rooftop programme, as innovation. There should be EU part of the upcoming Renovation coordination to ensure short-haul Wave, including mandatory solar flights are replaced by sustainable installations in public buildings in alternatives. We cannot endlessly Member States. We need upcoming expand our road network – this will recovery programs such as the EIB only induce demand - or replace Coronavirus Crisis Response to combustion engine cars with provide grants, loans, tax incentives electric vehicles. In moving traffic for SMEs and commercial and away from our roads, more freight industrial buildings to invest into must move by rail, inland waterways solar energy sourcing (solar rooftops and sea (e.g. sustainable short-sea or PPAs). shipping).

• Rethinking public spaces to • Building the foundations of a promote sustainable mobility: European zero-emissions mobility We have seen many places in industry, which is able to meet the Europe expand or add cycling lanes increasing demand for alternatives during the COVID-19 lockdown in to combustion engines and charging order to promote mobility that is infrastructure both for cars, vans, better suited to social distancing buses and trucks, but also boost rules: walking and cycling. Public supply for the rail sector. This will authorities should be actively be accompanied with reskilling encouraged to retain or extend programmes, providing new career these measures which will opportunities to workers leaving the undoubtedly promote this kind of fossil fuel-based transport sector. travel, thereby reducing emissions, keeping people fit, and - if need be - allow for social distancing.

• Ensuring a sustainable modal shift: the Recovery Plan should be an opportunity to invest in much- needed public transport and to ensure a true modal shift, reducing air pollution and contributing to

22 FOSSIL-FREE POLITICS own disparate plans of recovery. In particular, the low price of oil should The immediate response to the crisis be taken as an opportunity to end any has shown that, too often, conservative fossil fuel subsidies, including gas, stakeholders still see “the environment” whether direct (through infrastructure as an external, supplementary issue, of state aid) or indirect (through tax that can be ignored and set aside when exemptions). Any attack on current “serious” things happen, thus entirely or upcoming EU environmental ignoring the systemic problems which standards or targets should be contributed to the crisis at hand. seriously condemned. Strict rules on On the contrary, it is time to use the the interaction between the fossil fuel European Green Deal and its related industry and policymakers must be strategies as a basis, a template, for put in place, as they already exist for the reconstruction to come. These tobacco companies. EU institutions strategies, with precise targets and and Member States should interact linked regulatory reviews are needed with the fossil fuel industry only when now, not when the crisis is over, and and to the extent strictly necessary to most member states and stakeholders enable them to effectively regulate the have already started making their fossil fuel industry and its activity.

23 INTERNATIONAL

This is a global crisis and as such, it in establishing a status for the global needs a global response. All measures commons and require a new Global and against this pandemic will fail if they European Pact for the environment. are not pursued at international level. To this effect, the EU needs to live up to To protect and promote freedom, its responsibility and play a leading role solidarity and human rights, the EU in the context of growing instability, must treat freedom of the media, competing global value systems and a freedom of speech, protection shifting international disorder - trends of human rights defenders and that were accentuated but not created whistle-blowers, and digital rights by the Covid-19 crisis. This is all the as particularly high priorities. These more pressing with the US and China core freedoms need to be respected having shown in this crisis a lack of will at home and promoted abroad, and and of ability to drive efforts towards a the EU must actively oppose the shared, effective, just and sustainable global autocratic wave. The EU should answer to global challenges. The EU demand full transparency with regard must not shy away from the threefold to the COVID-19 crisis management task of fostering international in all countries. It should insist on an solidarity, of protecting human rights inclusive approach, bringing on board and of being the international actor all governments and including all social which pushes forward multilateral stakeholders, in particular women, solutions, thus standing up for the LGBTI* and minorities in the common free and democratic values on which efforts of the global community. The our Union has been founded and, EU should support the establishment thereby, protect our shared values. of a legally binding multilateral It is time that Europe takes the lead redress mechanism for the victims of

25 human rights violations based on the multilateral fora, such as the WHO, are UNGP. Moreover, it should emphasize at stake. The EU should remain firm multilateral partnerships for a Green and demand that, while globalisation New Deal oriented transition strategy must be rethought, multilateralism in overcoming the present crisis. The and cooperation remain the ways EU must stand tall in the universal to deal with global problems at the fight against racism and xenophobia. international level. In parallel, EU trade Moreover, millions of people in some policy must be completely reviewed. of the world’s poorest countries are facing devastating health, social and The overarching goal of a Green trade economic crises as a result of the policy is to ensure that trade achieves COVID-19 pandemic. The EU should the maximum human well-being and take strong leadership to support resilience, for the minimum use of humanitarian aid, medical support energy and resources. The distance and debt relief, including complete between production and consumption cancellation of debt obligations held should be as short as reasonably by all impoverished countries, without possible, ensuring an appropriate which many countries that need level of access to the products needed international help could not avoid for a satisfying life. The future trade terrible national catastrophes. system must combine a reshoring of strategic productions like food, medical It is important for the EU to strictly products and pharmaceutical, a strong monitor and screen foreign direct focus on circular economy, and resilient investment in order to avoid that and sustainable supply chains. strategic assets and in particular sensitive infrastructure come under the control of foreign governments, some of which are actively promoting autocratic policies. The EU should also urgently implement the international procurement instrument and insist on human rights proofing of European companies’ supply chains. The EU must act on the risk of feeding into militarisation strategies of third countries through technology transfer where these countries pursue strong civilian-military fusion policies. The EU must push-back against illegal subsidies that distort international competition.

The COVID-19 outbreak has also demonstrated the lack of cooperation at the international level and certain

26 DIGITAL

The digital transition has The digital transformation also fundamentally changed our way of represents an important job creation living, our way of communicating potential through supporting a more and our way of working. We see how pluralistic and diverse technology it can bring people closer together, sector and by coordinating efforts and increase knowledge, allow for better investment at EU level to close the conditions of living, as much as we see connectivity gap. the possible negative consequences through corporate capture of data, the Reclaiming the digital revolution deconstruction of social protection or allows us to move towards a fairer, the destruction of our environment sustainable, more accessible and or health. Digital technologies are a more transparent economic model tool not an end goal. We need to take supporting businesses and people ownership of the frame surrounding while respecting democratic values digital technologies and steer it and limiting its environmental impact. towards high sustainability standards, We should ensure that digitalisation including strong democratic and remains an opportunity for all, helping technologic safeguards, and us to prevent further crisis while accompanied by cost and knowledge empowering everyone. support measures that leave no one behind.

The COVID-19 crisis shows that the digital revolution is an important part of increasing our societies crisis resilience. We should therefore invest in digitalization of essential services and increase governments, legislators (also in the European Parliament) and public institutions’ ability to deliver their services during crises.

28 DEMOCRACY

In the last few weeks, our democracies new legislation protecting minorities and have been put under further pressure, fundamental rights. Democracy is about our freedoms and civil liberties have the duty of the majority to protect the been reduced in order to tackle this crisis. rights of the minorities. It is time for us to Mass surveillance has been developed get back on track and resume our journey and media freedom has been reduced towards a more democratic society. to name a few. The risk is that those exceptional and temporary measures This crisis has shaken the trust of many will never be fully lifted, becoming, de citizens and given rise to populism facto, normal and permanent laws. and euro critics. All over the EU, Counter-powers, fundamental in liberal Euroscepticism has risen with the onset democracies, including independent of the current crisis. It is the immediate juridical systems, individual rights, result of a feeling of being left alone. We parliamentary scrutiny, media freedom, need – now more than ever – to include, media pluralism and fully functioning the local and regional authorities, the independent controls of public spending trade-unions and the civil society in have been reduced, sometimes shut the policy-making process. Moreover, a down. To ensure the respect of the rule debate on the future of the EU is urgently of law in Member States, we should fully needed. We need to critically evaluate the support the work of already existing EU’s reaction to this crisis and translate independent institutions. At the same the desire of its people for solidarity, a time, the EU should also establish and put more participative and lively democracy conditions to the distribution of EU funds. and “more Europe” into concrete political With the release of these much-needed processes. The Conference on the Future new emergency funds, it is crucial to of the EU is the ideal forum for this debate. strengthen transparency, accountability The Conference needs to start as the first and good governance through control opportunity and has to come forward with mechanisms to avoid corruption and the clear proposals, including by engaging misuse of EU and national public funds. directly with citizens, to profoundly The COVID-19 outbreak should not be reform the European Union and making used as a new opportunity to reduce our it more effective, united, democratic, fundamental freedoms or to diminish sovereign and resilient. Citizens must be regional competences and recentralise fully involved in all recovery measures states. There should be no quarantine discussed and adopted within the EU. To for Democracy! It is time to strengthen allow for such a citizen driven process we our democracies and civil rights by “going must not waste any of the remaining time. back to the normal” but also by adopting and start preparing now.

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