Over one million people and 100 environmental NGOs across Europe are calling on the EU to restart its economy by launching a truly green investment plan. On 5 May, MEPs will decide what they want in the EU’s Recovery Fund and seven-year budget ahead of the EC’s proposal next week.

To date over 1.2 million people from across the world have joined campaigns at avaaz, WeMove Europe, and SumOfUs, supporting the call for a bold, green recovery.

Alongside, the Green 10 coalition of environmental organisations has organised an appeal urging lawmakers to design a green, healthy and just recovery with a fund investing hundreds of billions into home renovations, scaling up renewable energy, restoring natural habitats, boosting public transport and zero-emission mobility, and greening agriculture.

The environmental groups have stressed that all recovery plans must put people’s wellbeing at the heart of the crisis response, deliver social benefits and protect workers’ rights through a ‘just transition for all’.

Ester Asin, director of the WWF European Policy Office, said: “We’ve heard a lot of lip service paid to a ‘green recovery’ lately, but now it’s time for decision-makers to put their money where their mouth is. The current crisis is a stark reminder of how closely human and planetary health are interlinked - only together can people and nature thrive. A green recovery means restoring nature, protecting our environment, and accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral and resilient economy. MEPs must lead the way."

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