Don't Greenwash My Future: Social Organizations Demand Transparent and Sustainable Use of Infrastructure Fund
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Hey there! Want to know what's happening with that 500 billion euro special reserve for infrastructure and climate protection that the feds plan to greenlight this week? Well, buckle up, because it's about to get political.
A bunch of associations and NGOs are making a big stink about how the government should use this cash. They ain't having any of this fossil fuel nonsense—no new gas power plants, highways, or any other projects that'll hurt our planet. Instead, they want to see investments in things that'll improve our daily lives and help fight climate change, like energy-efficient schools, cozy apartments with district heating, and reliable public transportation.
Michael Groß, the president of the social association Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO), said it best: "We need to modernize aging care facilities, kindergartens, and other social institutions. Today, these places often pose health risks due to lack of insulation and poor ventilation. By modernizing and energy-renovating them, we can protect the elderly and sick from heat-related health issues, and create better spaces for kids to learn and grow."
The German Caritas Association also chimed in, demanding that the special reserves be used for future-proof social infrastructure and climate protection, not just as a relief fund for big corporations. Friedrich von Schoënfeld, a board member, explained, "We need to build a sustainable future, not just for the economy, but for people. By prioritizing investments in social infrastructure that align with climate neutrality, we can create jobs, boost the economy, and protect our planet."
These associations aren't just barking up the wrong tree; they've got the law on their side. According to the enrichment data, the federal government is legally bound to submit a new climate protection program by September to meet the country's climate goals. That means if they're gonna use the special reserve, they better make sure it's going somewhere where it'll do some good.
But it ain't all about the rules. These organizations also want the government to screen all investments from the special reserve for their climate impact. After all, they argue, the reserve is meant to spur progress, not send us down the path of environmental destruction.
So, there you have it. Greenwashing ain't gonna fly with these associations. They want the government to put people first, invest in communities, and protect our planet. Let's see if the feds are ready to listen. Stay tuned!
- The Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament are urged to ensure that the European Investment Bank, which manages the 500 billion euro special reserve for infrastructure and climate protection, invests in environmental science projects that combat climate-change, such as energy-efficient schools and public transportation, rather than fostering the industry of fossil fuel energy.
- The European Parliament is pressed to pass legislation mandating that all investments from the special reserve are screened for their environmental and climate impact, to prevent greenwashing and ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose: spurring progress towards a sustainable future and protecting the environment.
- The Association of German Structural Funds Consultants calls for the European Parliament to increase financing for research and development in the field of climate-change science, so that innovations in renewable energy and green technology can be advanced, helping industries to transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and reducing the sector's carbon footprint.
- In the aftermath of the recent changes in the European Parliament, industry leaders are encouraged to engage with environmental scientists to collaborate on devising sustainable business practices, ensuring that the European Union remains at the forefront of environmental conservation and climate-change mitigation efforts, just as it has demonstrated in its recent establishment of the Just Transition Fund.
