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Greenlash: Rising Opposition to EU Green Policies Amid Economic Strains

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Across Europe, there’s a significant pushback against green policies, termed a “greenlash.” This contrasts starkly with the sentiment during the last European elections five years ago, when especially young voters were fervently demanding action against climate change.

The current resistance is fueled by soaring energy prices, partly due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and a broader cost of living crisis, prompting many Europeans to reconsider the move away from fossil fuels. Additionally, farmers across Europe have staged roadblocks in protest against environmental reforms.

This shift could pose a serious challenge for the EU’s Green parties in the upcoming elections from June 6-9. The Greens/European Free Alliance (G/EFA), currently the fourth-largest group in the European Parliament, might see a 30% reduction in their seats according to most polls. Terry Reintke, the Greens’ lead candidate, warns that if right-wing groups gain more influence, they could obstruct substantial parts of the parliament’s agenda.

Such an outcome could significantly affect the implementation of the EU’s Green Deal, part of the Climate Law aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Some measures have already been enacted, like the package to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% of 1990 levels by 2030, which includes a contentious ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2035. However, many policies essential for meeting 2040 targets still need to be agreed upon, and existing directives could be modified under sufficient political pressure.

Right-wing parties across Europe have quickly responded to public discontent, balancing costly decarbonization processes and green investments against the cost of living crisis. In Italy, Matteo Salvini of the far-right League criticizes the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars, viewing it as a “gift” to the Chinese electric car industry. Hungary’s Viktor Orban supports farmers protesting in Brussels and accuses European leaders of ignoring ordinary people.

In Germany, backlash over plans to ban new oil and gas heating systems almost toppled the coalition government, leading to a watered-down policy. The far-right AfD, decrying an “eco-dictatorship,” is challenging for second place in the polls. Similarly, in the Netherlands, government plans to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions sparked farmer protests and boosted the Farmer-Citizens Movement (BBB), now set to join a coalition with Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party, which aims to roll back green policies.

Sweden, once a leader in climate action, has seen its government, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, criticized for policies that could increase emissions. In Spain, the far-right Vox party denies human-caused climate change and seeks to undo recent green policies.

Hannah Neumann, a German MEP from the Greens, refutes the radical right’s narrative that economic competitiveness and climate protection are mutually exclusive, emphasizing that the global shift towards net zero includes major economies like the US and China. She warns that the EU risks falling behind if it slows its green transition.

However, center-right parties also challenge the speed and cost of this transition. The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, has long opposed the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars. Farmers’ protests have also led to reversals of Green Deal policies, such as scrapping a proposal to halve pesticide use.

Jessica Polfjärd, an MEP from Sweden’s Moderate Party, acknowledges the urgency of climate issues but stresses the need for realistic and balanced policies. She argues that overly ambitious green policies have not provided industries with adequate tools for the transition and that their impacts need thorough assessment.

Despite the backlash, climate change remains a significant concern for European voters. A recent Eurobarometer survey found that 78% of respondents feel environmental issues directly impact their lives, and 84% believe EU environmental legislation is necessary. Yet, only 58% want to speed up the transition to renewable energy, with cost of living concerns dominating the current campaign landscape, potentially leading to significant losses for the European Greens compared to five years ago.

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‘Virtually certain’ that 2023 will be warmest year after October record

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New data strongly suggests that 2023 will undoubtedly be the warmest year on record, marked by deadly heatwaves, floods, and fires. The EU’s climate change service reports that global average air temperatures in October 2023 were 0.4C higher than the previous record set in 2019, making it the fifth consecutive month of record warmth. Researchers predict that extreme global temperatures will persist into 2024.

This year has already seen numerous records shattered, with July potentially being the hottest month in 120,000 years and September surpassing the previous record by an astonishing 0.5C. Although October wasn’t as scorching as September, it still set a new record for the month by a significant margin of 1.7C compared to the pre-industrial average.

Multiple scientific organizations, including Copernicus, NOAA, and Berkeley Earth, assert that there is a more than 99% probability that 2023 will go down as the warmest year on record. Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather from Berkeley Earth emphasizes the persistent trend of record-setting months, indicating no sign of reversal.

While the scientific implications of these unprecedented temperatures are alarming, the real-world consequences are even more concerning. Dr. Friederike Otto from Imperial College London highlights the human suffering, including thousands of deaths, displacement, and livelihood losses, caused by extreme heatwaves and droughts exacerbated by these extraordinary temperatures.

The primary driver of this heatwave is the continuous release of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. This year’s rise in temperatures is further compounded by the emergence of an intense El Niño event, causing warm waters to surface in the eastern Pacific Ocean and release additional heat into the atmosphere. Researchers are still uncertain about the nature of this particular El Niño event, as it appears to deviate from previous occurrences and may be contributing to greater ocean surface heating compared to past El Niño events.

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Young Activists Sue 32 Nations Over Climate Change

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Claudia Duarte Agostinho vividly recalls the fear she felt during the devastating heatwave and wildfires that swept through Portugal in 2017, claiming over 100 lives. The trauma of those wildfires left her and her siblings anxious about their future. Claudia, aged 24, her brother Martim, aged 20, and her 11-year-old sister Mariana are among a group of six young Portuguese individuals who have taken an unprecedented step by filing a lawsuit against 32 governments, including all European Union member states, the UK, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey.

Their lawsuit accuses these nations of inadequately addressing climate change and failing to sufficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This groundbreaking case is the first of its kind to be brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, potentially carrying legally-binding implications for the accused governments. The initial hearing took place recently.

These six claimants, ranging in age from 11 to 24, argue that the annual forest fires in Portugal since 2017 are a direct consequence of global warming. They assert that their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, privacy, family life, and freedom from discrimination, are being violated due to governments’ failure to combat climate change adequately. They have already experienced significant impacts, such as extreme temperatures forcing them indoors, restricting their daily lives, and causing health issues like eco-anxiety, allergies, and respiratory conditions. Remarkably, none of them seeks financial compensation.

The case’s proponents argue that the policies of these 32 governments are steering the world toward a catastrophic 3-degree Celsius global warming scenario by the century’s end. They demand urgent action to prevent unbearable heat extremes that threaten their health and well-being. In a 2021 study, the Lancet found widespread climate anxiety and dissatisfaction with government responses among children and young people worldwide, impacting their daily lives.

The governments, in their responses, contest that the claimants haven’t adequately demonstrated that their suffering directly results from climate change or Portuguese wildfires. They argue that there is no immediate evidence of climate change posing a risk to human life or health, and they question the ECHR’s jurisdiction over climate policy.

This David vs. Goliath case could have far-reaching implications, potentially binding these governments to increase climate action by reducing emissions and phasing out fossil fuels. It would also guide domestic courts dealing with climate change-related cases. A verdict is anticipated in nine to 18 months.

For Claudia, this case represents a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain world. She contemplates the possibility of having children one day, but winning this case would mean that people are truly listening, governments are taking action, and a brighter future might be on the horizon.

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Greta Thunberg Faces Charges for Second Blockade of Swedish Oil Port

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Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is now facing charges for disregarding a police directive to disperse during a protest at a bustling Swedish port. This comes several months after she was previously found guilty of a similar offense. In July, she received a fine for her refusal to leave a demonstration that obstructed a road used for oil transport from Malmo harbor.

Following this earlier conviction, Ms. Thunberg and fellow activists returned to the port and were once again forcibly removed by law enforcement. Her second trial is slated for September 27th.

In an official statement, Swedish prosecutor Isabel Ekberg asserted that the demonstration on July 24th had not received authorization and had disrupted traffic flow. During this protest, Ms. Thunberg had joined forces with the group Reclaim the Future in southern Sweden, aiming to impede the movement of vehicles to protest against the utilization of fossil fuels. This demonstration unfolded just hours after Ms. Thunberg had been fined 2,500 Swedish Krona (£180; $224) for her involvement in a protest at the same port on June 19th.

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