EU ‘turning its back’ on climate promises, Christian groups warn

‘Upholding the dignity of every human being and the intrinsic value of all creation means a just, rapid transition away from fossil fuels to a renewables-based, circular economy to protect our common home.’

A coalition of more than 140 European Christian organisations has made an urgent appeal to the European Union to stop “dismantling” its climate laws and to recommit to immediate, responsible action to accelerate the green transition and tax fossil fuel companies.

The EU approved deregulation legislation that significantly weakens corporate accountability laws, stripping them of essential human rights and environmental protections, late last year.

The European Coalition for Corporate Justice has warned that this amounts to “retreating” from responsibility to hold powerful companies and big polluters to account. 

On 20 May, leading Christian organisations, including the Laudato Si’ Movement, Caritas Europa, the Jesuit European Social Centre, Christian Aid Ireland, and the Quaker Council for European Affairs, expressed “deep concern” that the EU is “turning its back on its role as a global climate leader”.

They said this legislation involves “delaying climate commitments, increasing fossil fuel dependence, weakening due diligence, and cutting social and environmental safeguards”.

“As the global energy crisis and conflicts are highlighting once again our continent’s vulnerability, we call on the EU to be faithful to its founding values on human dignity and human rights, and set courageous goals to safeguard the present and the future,” the appeal said.

“We demand just climate action that protects the most vulnerable now and secures the rights of future generations, including the phasing out of fossil fuels… vital… for protecting human rights and preserving peace.”

The Christian organisations called for an immediate end to all exploration for fossil fuels and rapid phaseout of coal, oil and gas extraction, including ending permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure and rejecting “false solutions” such as unproven carbon removal technologies.

“To continue expanding fossil fuel production, which would devastate so many lives and livelihoods, is to perpetuate what Pope John Paul II names as ‘the structures of sin’: the social, economic and political systems that are rooted in a ‘desire for excessive profit’ and which spread injustice,” they said.

“To be faithful in Europe means upholding the dignity of every human being, the intrinsic value of all creation, and acting with courage and urgency in the face of ecological crisis.

“It means a just, rapid transition away from fossil fuels to a renewables-based, circular economy to protect our common home.”

The organisations urged the EU to establish an EU-wide roadmap to phase out fossil fuel production, import and consumption, and to stop fossil fuel subsidies and introduce a permanent tax on the profits of fossil fuel companies.

They said the EU must prioritise funding for a socially just transition, including through economic diversification, strong social protection, and inclusive social dialogue, protecting local communities and workers.

On a global level, increased funding for adaptation and loss and damage will be needed in the Global South, making it especially important to “cancel unsustainable debts” and support just taxation, they said.

“As the first continent to embrace the fossil-fuel-powered economy, Europe holds a historic duty and opportunity to lead the transition to a new era away from fossil fuels,” the Christian groups said. “The welfare of every person is at stake.”

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