BAN EU OFFSHORE DRILLING
2020 : A UNIQUE CHANCE TO BAN EU OFFSHORE DRILLING
WE NEED TO OVERCOME OUR ADDICTION TO FOSSIL ENERGY.
If Europe wants to fulfill its Paris Agreement commitments, as well as its ambition to become climate neutral by 2050, the EU countries need to step up their efforts to cut CO2 emissions.
We are aware that transforming our energy mix is no simple task. However, we now also know that we must leave at least 80% of discovered fossil fuels in the ground in order to stay within the established climate goals. So let’s first start with the sacrifices that are straightforward and address the most disastrous activities – ban offshore drilling in European waters by 2035.
Facts
-
The Netherlands is ignoring citizen mobilization and environmental risks. They still have not prohibited oil and gas exploration and/or exploitation off their coasts. This goes against the future European Green deal.
-
Offshore drilling harms our environment and economy.
-
Offshore drilling also threatens the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. European tourism and fishing industries employ 40 times more people than offshore oil and gas activities (2 570 000 vs 63 000 people in 2017) and generate 5 times more added value (85 vs 17 billion euro in 2017).
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO REST ON OUR LAURELS, BUT TO ACT
The signatories of this Manifesto recognize and welcome the European Union’s ambition to become a leader in the fight against climate change. Now is not the time to rest on our laurels, but to act. We must search for sustainable energy solutions rather than drill for fossil fuels off our coasts, keeping the “business as usual” attitude. In accordance with its Paris Agreement commitments to keep the rise of temperatures under 1,5C, it is vital that the EU sets an example to other nations. Offshore drilling is harmful and dangerous both for humans and marine species. It does not fit in the Green Deal ambition of our continent and we should put an end to it. If the EU wants to be known as the world climate champion, it must act like one.