They also adopted a set of four priorities for the EU over the next five years, including climate action. But the strategic agenda 2019-2024<\/em> fails to recognise the urgency of steep emission cuts, as demanded by science<\/a> and millions of Europeans.<\/p>\n Greenpeace EU climate policy adviser Sebastian Mang<\/b> said: <\/span>\u201cHollow words can’t rebuild a house flattened in a mudslide or repay a farmer who’s lost their harvest to drought. Merkel and Macron failed to convince Poland and bring others on board. With people on the streets demanding action and warnings from scientists that the window to respond is closing fast, our governments had a chance to lead from the front and put Europe on a rapid path to full decarbonisation. They blew it.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cEuropean leaders must call for an emergency EU climate summit to salvage Europe\u2019s credibility ahead of a crucial UN meeting in September,\u201d<\/span><\/i> added Mang.<\/span><\/p>\n A vast <\/span>majority of governments<\/span><\/a> supported the European Commission\u2019s proposed target of net-zero emissions by 2050 in the lead up to the EU summit, with several countries, including Germany, only confirming their support late in the negotiations. Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Estonia opposed the target. The agreement only notes in a footnote that a <\/span>\u201clarge majority\u201d<\/span><\/i> of countries supported a 2050 target and does not mention plans to increase the EU\u2019s 2030 target.<\/span><\/p>\n Greenpeace is calling on the EU to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, in line with scientific advice to prevent a full-blown climate crisis. A net-zero target would <\/span>require almost completely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, with any remaining emissions compensated for by measures like planting trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The EU\u2019s strategic agenda prioritises economic growth for its own sake, and pursues an anti-immigration and defence agenda. Greenpeace warned that this approach would continue driving the climate and ecological crisis and social inequalities, and fuelling division and conflict.<\/p>\n Greenpeace EU democracy policy adviser Ariadna Rodrigo<\/strong> said: “The short-term growth agenda pursued for decades in Europe has failed to deliver a liveable planet and a fair society. Unfortunately, this strategic agenda continues business as usual, when it should make confronting the climate emergency, reducing inequality and promoting people\u2019s wellbeing the top priorities of the next Commission.”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n **Greenpeace <\/b>video projection<\/b><\/a> on Brussels EU buildings ahead of EU summit**<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contacts:<\/b><\/p>\n Sebastian Mang \u2013 Greenpeace EU climate policy adviser<\/b>: +32 (0)479 601289, <\/span>sebastian.mang@greenpeace.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Greenpeace EU press desk<\/b>: +32 (0)2 2741911, <\/span>pressdesk.eu@greenpeace.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eu-unit-stateless\/2019\/06\/20a53810-eu-summit-climate-bomb.jpg\")
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