Europe-wide campaign: Stop fossil subsidies

Participants of the Disobedient Assembly today in Ulm
(c) Last generation
Freiburg, June 01.06.2024st, 12, 40:XNUMX p.m – The Last Generation has called for disobedient gatherings in 8 German cities this Saturday. In Ulm, Freiburg, Bremen, Wuppertal, Göttingen, Mannheim and Rostock Numerous citizens have been protesting since 12.00 p.m. against the continued subsidization of fossil fuels in Europe and thus against the continued fueling of global warming. The colorful and resistant gatherings on the streets are Part of the Europe-wide campaign "Stop EU Fossil Subsidies".
Lina Johnsen (26), speaker of the Last Generation and top candidate for the European Parliament, explains: “It makes me angry and sad how fossil subsidies are constantly increasing global warming. Stable weather and climate conditions and thus our democracy are currently being burned down in order to enable a few corporations to continue making high profits. We only saw the consequences again in Saarland two weeks ago.”
She adds: “Since even the European Parliament is demanding that the subsidies be ended by 2025 at the latest, we are on the streets today as part of the Europe-wide campaign 'Stop fossil subsidies' by UNited for Climate Justice.”
Fossil subsidies lead to climate catastrophe
Over 405 billion euros fossil fuel subsidies flow every year in the form of Tax relief for large companies within the EU. These subsidies lead to high emissions, which in turn fuel global warming. Our oceans in particular have warmed significantly over the past two decades, leading to record sea level rise. In addition, all seven continents are now affected by extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes or extreme heat and drought (and the associated forest fires). Among other things, this extreme weather threatens food security.
Dr. Angela Huston Gold, spokesperson for UNited for Climate Justice, explains: “This has to stop now before it gets any worse. That’s why we’re protesting together against fossil fuel subsidies in the EU.”
Growing pressure on the EU Parliament and its member states
On November 21, 2023, members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution recommending an end to fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 at the latest [2]. Dr. Angela Huston Gold: “There is a very high risk that this resolution remains a recommendation. Especially in view of the upcoming European elections and the associated reformation of the Commission, we believe it is more important than ever to urge the EU to actually take appropriate measures in accordance with the resolution. And we will continue to do this on the first Saturday of every month until our demands for an end to fossil subsidies are met.”
What is UNited for Climate Justice?
UNited for Climate Justice (UCJ) is an English-language platform for all types of grassroots and climate movements. It is supported and advocated by non-governmental organizations within and outside Europe. All movements represented demand global climate justice.
The movements coordinate together Campaign "Stop EU Fossil Subsidies". They base their protests on scientific findings, with the form of protest based primarily on civil disobedience. UCJ is committed to a rapid and systemic cultural, economic and political change on, which is driven for and by the people themselves.
[1] www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Topics/energy-subsidies/20240103-external-fuel-subsidies-template-2023.ashx
[2) www.europarl.europa.eu/news/de/press-room/20231117IPR12108/cop28-meps-want-to-end-all-subsidies-for-fossil-fuel-globally-by-2025