European Parliament resolution of 15 June 2023 on a European Day for the victims of the global climate crisis (2023/2740(RSP))
Date: 2023-06-15
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: adaptation to climate change, climate change, commemoration, fire, humanitarian crisis, natural disaster, public awareness campaign, victim








C_202400488EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series C













C/2024/488


23.1.2024






P9_TA(2023)0245
EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis
European Parliament resolution of 15 June 2023 on a European Day for the victims of the global climate crisis (2023/2740(RSP))
(C/2024/488)



The European Parliament,






—


having regard to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),










—


having regard to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report, its synthesis report thereon and in particular to the latest and most comprehensive scientific evidence on the damaging effects of climate change provided in the report,










—


having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640),










—


having regard to Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (1),










—


having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (‘European Climate Law’) (2) and to the European Union’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest,










—


having regard to the Commission communication of 24 February 2021 entitled ‘Forging a climate-resilient Europe — the new EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change’ (COM(2021)0082),










—


having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change (3),










—


having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,










A.


whereas climate change is having widespread and pervasive impacts on ecosystems, people, settlements, infrastructure, agriculture and food supply chains, and puts pressure on natural and human systems across the world, including in Europe, to adapt to new weather and climate extremes;










B.


whereas climate change is leading to more unpredictable weather phenomena, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, wildfires and floods, to threats to food, water safety and security, and to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, which are intensifying and taking an ever-higher human toll both globally and in Europe;










C.


whereas it is appropriate to commemorate the victims of the climate crisis and at the same time raise awareness of the increasing loss of human life, the impacts on physical and mental health, the growing threats to livelihoods and the humanitarian crises caused by climate change which are driving the displacement of people from their homes;










D.


whereas the European Green Deal and the General Union Action Programme aim to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s natural capital and to protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts;










E.


whereas there is also a need to raise awareness of the concrete actions that can be taken to prevent, prepare for and respond to such disasters; whereas tribute should be paid to those engaged in this work;










F.


whereas the creation of an annual ‘EU day for the victims of the global climate crisis’ would help raise the awareness of these issues;













1.


Calls for the creation of an ‘EU day for the victims of the global climate crisis’ and for the EU to observe this day every year on 15 July, beginning in 2023;












2.


Invites the Council and the Commission to back this initiative with a view to its joint adoption by all the three institutions;












3.


Proposes to the Council and the Commission that they cooperate with Parliament on this annual ‘EU day for the victims of the global climate crisis’, on joint initiatives commemorating victims of the global climate crisis in Europe and, through the European External Action Service, in the world, on awareness-raising among stakeholders and the general public about the concrete steps they can take to contribute to prevent these disasters from happening and be better prepared for and respond to climate disasters;












4.


Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service and the parliaments of the Member States.






(1)  
            OJ L 114, 12.4.2022, p. 22.

(2)  
            OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1.

(3)  
            OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 156.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/488/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)