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Fair and Carbon Free Tourism – Serbian Research Reports

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Context

The research for these papers was conducted in 2021 by the Organisation for Political Ecology – PolEkol as part of the GEF transnational project named “Fair and Carbon Free Tourism”. The aim of the project was to identify and create conditions for

collective action against the detrimental social and environmental impacts of tourism, which are often underestimated while pursuing different economic activities. Throughout 2020, this project entailed events, desk research, several local site visits as well as public debates to increase visibility and build a community around this topic. In 2021 and 2022, it followed up with larger study trips and further research to expand this knowledge and connect further with stakeholders, affected audiences and policymakers on the local but also the European level.

Sustainable Spa Tourism in Serbia

The tourism sector is a highly lucrative branch of the economy, and one that the Republic of Serbia has identified explicitly as a priority area for growth. With a history of spas that dates back to Roman times, wellness tourism is particularly interesting for international visitors and foreign investment. This research report considers the current situation, some of the challenges and risks that come with tourism development, and lays out a series of recommendations to ensure that this happens in a fair and sustainable way. Particular attention is paid to the idea of water as a public good, and the importance of protecting water access and quality for local communities and the natural world.

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Sustainable Tourism on the Balkan Mountains

The tourism sector is a highly lucrative branch of the economy, and one that the Republic of Serbia has identified explicitly as a priority area for growth. At the same time, tourism is a significant driver of climate change and environmental harm, and the Covid-19 crisis highlighted the precarity of jobs and communities that depend on it. This research report explored local tourism in the Balkan Mountains as a potential model to do things differently. It looks at how community-led, small-scale tourism can not just avoid harm but actively enhance environmental protection, and offers rural populations a way to maintain their village lives with diversified sources of income. However, this requires careful investment in infrastructure and social and communal services, not just opening up the area to be a playground for private investors.

OPEN PDF VERSION

 


These reports have been realised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Polekol foundation (Serbia), and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

The Future of Eastern Europe and Eco-Democracy

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Context & Objectives

Democracy in Eastern Europe is hanging by a thread. Authoritarianism is growing and nationalist narratives are reopening old conflicts. The pandemic has exposed governments’ inefficiencies to react to any sort of crisis and contributed to heighten polarisation in an already polarised society. On the other side, hope is on the horizon as progressive movements are gaining relevance locally, and mobilisation around environmental issues is rapidly growing. In this context, this publication aims to explore how to leverage these small steps and use them to strengthen the Green movement in the region. This publication is part of the Transnational Project The Future of Eastern Europe and Eco democracy.

“At least two to three generations of humans have now lived through some of the fastest changes with regards to the climate crisis and species extinction. It is up to us to reinvent politics, disrupt the status quo and create a solid foundation not only for us but also for the continued existence of biodiversity on our planet…”

 

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Also available in Greek.

Also available in Turkish.

 


This publication has been published by the Green European Foundation with the support of Cooperation Development Networks Eastern Europe (CDNEE), Green Thought Association (Turkey), Sustainable Development Forum Green Window (Croatia), Green Institute (Greece) and Ecopolis Foundation (Hungary).

Rethinking Heating and Cooling

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Context

Climate impacts became more apparent within Europe through the record high temperatures in the summer of 2022. This has converged with a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and consequent shortages of Russian gas and an unprecedented increase in energy prices. Whilst governments in some countries have shown imaginative thinking to deal with the immediate energy crisis, this thinking needs to be extended with a view to long-term changes of behaviour, practices and social norms. Change is essential to limit energy demand in the future as a critical response to the climate crisis.

Ensuring everyone has a living space that they can maintain at temperatures safe for human health should be a government priority.

 

Objectives

This publication argues for a broad rethink of the demand for heating and cooling buildings that goes beyond calls for widespread retrofit. It draws from the earlier ‘Rethinking Energy Demand’ report (October 2022) and the interviews conducted for that report with academics and thought-leaders across Europe. The earlier report considered the need and means to sufficiently reduce energy demand. This policy briefing invites policy makers to extend their thinking beyond the immediate crisis towards a longer-term strategy for delivering the human need for thermal comfort whilst eliminating carbon emissions. The briefing comprises 6 sections and offers 16 policy recommendations, across both efficiency and sufficiency measures.

 

Translations

Available in Spanish

Available in Greek

 


This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Nuclear Power

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Context

The nuclear power lobby is stronger today than ever. The lobbyists have succeeded in creating an enormous disparity in the perception of what to believe and reality. The post-Chernobyl generation is increasingly falling prey to the fairy tale of modern, safe, cheap and CO2 neutral nuclear power. These arguments can be quickly refuted and often only serve to conceal the ulterior motive: to increase the stockpile of nuclear armaments. Nuclear power will most definitely not save the environment.

Objectives

This publications argues that nuclear power is not the solution to climate change including a critical analysis of the main ten misconceptions about “green” nuclear power. It has been written in close cooperation with Martin Litschauer, Member of the Austrian Parliament and Anti-nuclear Spokesman of the Austrian Greens, and Maria Niedertscheider, Expert Assistant, Austrian Federal Environmental Agency. Th purpose of the brochures is to serve as guidance for a broad European discussion and as a concise summary of the narrative on nuclear power as a supposedly bridge technology.

If we want to protect ourselves and save the environment, we have to use solar, wind and geothermal energy, because these are the fastest and safest ways to achieve the energy transition.

Translations

Available in Turkish

Available in Slovenian


This publication, originally published by FREDA, has been realised by the Green European Foundation and FREDA with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Rethinking Energy Demand

By Uncategorized

Context

Scientists are clear that Europe must significantly reduce its overall energy demand to meet the targets for carbon reduction necessary to limit climate danger. In its latest report on climate mitigation, the IPCC has, for the first time, included a chapter dedicated to reducing demand. This chapter concludes that calling for individual action is insufficient and that a society-wide approach is needed for significant impact, delivering up to 70% decarbonisation.

However, there is a dangerous silence on this matter within the public sphere. Politicians are hesitant to speak on this point, fearing the disruption that this will cause. (2) However, disruption is an inevitable part of any economic change and there is still time to make a choice about the form this disruption takes. Avoiding the topic closes off all options around how to address the impacts.

Objectives

This report explores the need to rethink energy demand in terms of policies, politics and economics. It draws on interviews and round-table discussions with academics researching energy reduction and sufficiency, and post-growth and macroeconomics, and with green politicians.

Energy demand is just a subset of how humanity is exceeding planetary boundaries.

 

The report focuses on the barriers, opportunities and where sufficient changes could be unlocked through new governance, policies and communication, rather than on specific policies for specific sectors.  Whilst this report focuses specifically on reducing direct energy demand, much of the report’s findings could be applied to much wider challenges, including the indirect energy embodied in supply chains, which also need to be reduced if we are to address the interlocking climate and ecological crises. The report is written to inform and provide a resource for policy makers, politicians, climate campaigners and the general public who are motivated to respond to the climate change threat.

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Available in Greek

Available in Catalan

Available in Spanish


This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

A Green New Deal for Leeds City Region

By Uncategorized

GALBA’s Vision for a Sustainable Local Economy (Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport)

Context

The Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) is a group of concerned citizens in West Yorkshire. They came together from a range of backgrounds and across the political spectrum to stop the proposed expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), which they managed to do in 2022.  Learn more here.

Following the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow, the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) launched their new report: ‘A Green New Deal for Leeds City Region: GALBA’s Vision for a Sustainable Local Economy’.

We believe that local jobs and our fragile climate are best safeguarded by investing in a new green economy that supports sustainability whilst making sure our communities are employed in secure, productive and meaningful work.

Objectives

This report sets out concerns about the claims being made by Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) around job creation.  GALBA propose a more forward-looking, ambitious and achievable economy that reduces reliance on aviation and encourages investment in local communities, whilst addressing the other key challenges faced around transport, energy and food supply. “Our generation has seen the emergence of a human-created climate emergency. We must also be the generation to fix this, by making best use of our most precious resource–our people”.

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Also available in Spanish.


This report is published by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green House Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this project.

A Just Transition in Britain: Navigating “Actually Existing Regionalisms”

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About

Back in July, GEF alongside Green House Think Tank launched an essay competition for students and young writers on the political potential of the Just Transition in the UK. We’re now delighted to announce the winner of our Just Transition essay competition: Matthew Hull.

For as long as the vocabulary of just transition has existed, it has attended to regional inequality and ‘spatial justice’.6 This arises from the common-sense observation that regions whose economies are especially reliant on fossil-fuelled industries, and whose opportunities for economic diversification are limited, will be particularly vulnerable during any transition.

 

Objectives

Matthew looks at two decades of regional development in the UK, from New Labour’s ‘new regionalism’ to Metro Mayors and devolution in Wales. Exploring how ‘actually existing regionalism’ has accommodated ecological objectives over time, and through narratives from networks to ‘Levelling Up’, Matthew contrasts a history of weakness with an emerging political potential. “The regionalist genie may be out of the bottle,” his excellent essay concludes, “and centralising governments may struggle to put it back in.”

 


This essay has been published by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green House think tank and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this content.

Fighting Conspiracy Theories on TikTok

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Context

TikTok has become a primary social media platform. It has allured many young social media users (under the age of 18), at an age when conspiracy theories are more likely than ever to take hold. With a never-ending newsfeed and easy redistribution tools, the platform has become a breeding ground for fake news, conspiracy theories and theorists, for long under the radar.  But since it is now a key actor in our social media landscape, used more and more for political objectives, non-profit organisations and activists need to address this dangerous trends .

Since it is getting increasingly harder to find reliable information online where the lines between reality and fiction blur, what can we do about this, especially in a digital age when everyone has access and is exposed to conspiracy theories?

 

This toolkit was drafted after the implementation of the “Anti-conspiracy theories on TikTok” project in January 2022, looking at how could young European activists and non-profits use TikTok to combat existing conspiracy theories and prevent the rise of new ones. And this is a new tool, a starting point for anyone interested in learning about this platform and in debunking and combatting fake news  on social media in general.

 

Download

Also available in Turkish

Also available in Croatian

A guide to engaging aviation workers and trade unions

By Uncategorized

Context

Climate campaigners are coalescing around an agenda of no expansion of airports and the need for a long-term reduction of aviation. However, not all of these campaigns have incorporated worker perspectives to better understand the impact on jobs and changes to local and national economies.

We don’t just want to get the industry back to where it was in 2018, but decarbonised. Because that wasn’t a good industry for workers. Transport had become too cheap, it was market driven. There is a need to embark on a huge transformation of the industry.

Objectives

This short guide explores how campaigns can connect better with aviation workers and the trade unions that represent them – to build mutual support, win those campaigns and advance a rapid and just transition for workers in the sector.

About the project

This publication is part of the project “Just Transition in the Aviation Sector” that explores how the concept of a just transition could look like when applied to the aviation sector in the UK. It focuses on the loss of jobs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the potential of the green job creation. In this context, a case study of the Gatwick airport was conducted.  

Just Transition in the Aviation Sector explored the topic of the Aviation sector adaptation through several formats, including the development of infographics, events with an inclusive European dimension. As a part of the project, GEF implemented an online event called Green jobs and airport expansion campaigns, gathering experts and politicians to debate the topic in a panel format.  

The initial research and debates within the project scope culminated in this report.  

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Available in Spanish


This publication has been realized with the support of Green House Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. 

Albanian Green Academy Report

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Context and Objectives

This report was prepared based on the trainings, workshops and lectures organized at the Albanian Green Academy in 2021. The overarching themes of the events focused on the European Green Deal and Climate Justice at local, national and European levels. The aim of the report is to promote green thinking in political, social and environmental aspects in Albania and the region.

About the Albanian Green Academy:

The Albanian Green Academy 2021 was held on 10-12thSeptember and 1-3rdOctober. It was divided in two phases. The main theme and focus of this first phase of the academy was “European Green Deal”. The main theme and focus of this second phase of the acade my was “Climate Change. In this series of 6-day training the topics of European Green Deal and Climate Change were addressed in the context of national and European conditions. Avery important objective of this project was to bring together, equip with information and build cooperation between different groups to achieve an environmental society.

Climate change is already happening: temperatures are rising, droughts and wildfires are starting to happen more often, rainfall patterns are changing, glaciers and snow are melting and the average global sea level is rising. To mitigate climate change, we must reduce or prevent emissions related to human activities.

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Digital version in Albanian is available here


This report has been published by the Green Europe Foundation with the support ofthe Albanian Green Institute and with the financial support of the EuropeanParliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is notresponsible for the content of this report.

Disasters and risk management in the age of climate and ecological crisis

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Context

The conference entitled “Disasters and Risk Management in the Age of Climate and Ecological Crisis”, organized as part of the “Cities as Places of Hope” project, was held online on 18 November 2021 between 13:00-16:00. In this conference climate crisis and risk management were addressed in the context of forest fires, health, drought, flood disasters and biodiversity by Erdem Ergin (disaster risk management specialist), Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Karababa (public health specialist), Dr. Akgün İlhan Boğaziçi University), Prof. Dr. Nesibe Köse (İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Botany) and Dr. Emrah Çoraman (İstanbul Technical University).

About the project:

The Cities as Places of Hope Project has been carried out by the Green European Foundation with the support of green organizations from all over Europe; Spain (Transición Verde), Catalonia (Nous Horitzons), Croatia (The Institute for Political Ecology-IPE), Belgium (Oikos), Northern Macedonia (Sunrise), Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks (Netherlands) and Turkey (Green Thought Association). This project was launched in 2019 focusing on progressive city networks, a key factor in developing a positive narrative about Europe’s future. Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to bring together the progressive and transformative local and international city networks, to provide cooperation, to facilitate the exchange of information, and to contribute to the creation of a positive narrative about the future of Europe with the activities carried out in 2021.

Objectives

This report was prepared by transcription of the recording of the GEF Cities as Places of Hope conference. Since the aim is not to write an academic paper no specific style is used to cite sources. Those who are interested can access the event recording here.

Translations

Available in  Turkish

Available in Greek


This publication has been realized with the support of Yeşil Düşünce Derneği (Green Thought Association) and the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Greening Hydrogen- Big issues around a small molecule

By Uncategorized

Context

Europe is heading towards the Green Age, an era defined by climate neutrality and the circular economy. There is broad agreement on the need for this transition, reflected by the global Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal, or COP26. The EU aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Decarbonising the production of an element like hydrogen is key to achieve such climate goals as this element is currently responsible for over 2% of total global CO2 emissions.

“ Europe should lead the way into the Green Age, but must take care that no one is left behind…”

 

About the project:

This report is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project is supported by Green House Think Tank in the UK alongside green foundations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland and Finland. It is organised with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

 

Objectives

Introducing hydrogen to our energy and materials systems clearly raises several pressing questions that are of relevance to the work of Green parties in Europe. This report aims to give a brief overview of the most controversial issues surrounding hydrogen from a green perspective in order to facilitate debate on this matter.

 

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Available in Spanish


This publication has been realised with the support of the Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks, and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Global Public Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon

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Context

Sufficient and appropriately directed global public investment is critical to shift our economies to zero carbon. Currently such investment is inadequate, and still funds additional fossil fuel dependent transport infrastructure. This report explores UK and EU global public investment in transport.

This  publication strengthens the calls for climate finance agreed at COP26 to be sufficient to address the climate emergency. Global fossil fuel subsidies of $450 billion dwarfed additional international climate finance of $43 billion in 2020. Arbitrary funding targets, dubious accounting and outdated ideas about how funding should be spent perpetuate the status quo. European governments must lead in ensuring public investment in zero carbon is provided internationally on the same basis as domestically.

About the project:

This report is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project is supported by Green House Think Tank in the UK alongside green foundations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland and Finland. It is organised with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

 

Objectives

Global Public Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon examines how international aid, loans from development banks and export finance all continue to fund fossil fuel-dependent developments. This is particularly true in the transport sector, which soaked up around 20% of global official development assistance from 2014-2019. And rather than zero carbon transport systems to serve local populations, much of this aid is funding new roads, airports, ports and rail projects that support export-orientated economic growth.

The report sets out three clear recommendations the following:

  1. Climate finance must be additional to the meeting of existing 0.7% target for aid;
  2. All countries must stop financing infrastructure that locks in fossil fuel use and align aid and public expenditure to tackling the climate and ecological emergency;
  3. Global public investment must be more accountable, equitable and effective.

 

“As we approach COP26, all countries must commit to stop double-counting climate finance with pre-existing official development assistance commitments, and ensure both are sufficient and fully aligned with the Paris Commitment to avoid dangerous climate change. That means that financing of infrastructure that accelerates must end now, both at home and abroad.”

 

Audiovisual material

 


This publication has been realised with the support of the Green House Think Tank, and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Food Sovereignty, Climate action and Local Resilience

By Uncategorized

Context

This pamphlet on Food Sovereignty, Climate Action and Local Resilience follows on from A Question of Scale: “Imagining a cooperative, community-led approach to regional resilience”. A framing paper in which we explored the potential of the Social and Solidarity Economy, Doughnut Economics, Just Transition, The Commons, Community Wealth Building, Federated co-ops as approaches to help us address the climate and ecological emergency.

The co-creation of this pamphlet began with a first draft distributed to local food, community and cooperative advocates. Then, they attended a webinar to discuss identify the blockers and enablers of this regenerative and community-led approach. Finally, we added the harvest of the session, along with links to initiatives in the field, and an infographic.

Challenging the global trade regime and the bilateral trade agreements which en-trench trade relations and which negatively affect peasant farmers on both sides is a vital part of the picture of Food Sovereignty and the global conversation that needs to be had about how to protect, encourage and support biodiverse, agroecological and small scale production not just in our backyard, but across the world.

 

This publication was produced as part of GEF’s Climate Emergency Economy project, exploring the challenge of such a climate emergency economy by focusing on “hard-to-decarbonise” sectors like transport, trade, industry, or agriculture.

 

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Also available in Polish.


This publication has been realised with the support of the Green Foundation Ireland, Cultivate and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Steps Towards Universal Basic Income? The Effect of the Covid-19 Crisis on Welfare Policies and Support for UBI in the European Union

By Uncategorized

Context

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Europe, it put an enormous strain on the lives and livelihoods of millions. Amid lockdowns and quarantines, many countries responded by (temporarily) broadening their social security policies and providing additional support to those at risk of falling through the cracks. Yet as we slowly emerge from this crisis, there are already others looming. Society will continue to feel the effects of COVID-19 for a decade or more without an urgent public policy overhaul. We need to re-examine our social security approaches and implement bold measures to make societies more resilient to change and crisis. One such proposal is the Universal Basic Income.

There is no place for narrow views or short-sighted policies aimed at continuing to patch up a wound that is gradually – although more and more rapidly – bleeding us dry. Nor is there any point in trying to face the challenges of the 21st century with policies from the last century that have already proved to be unsuccessful.

Objectives

This report examines the social policy reactions to the Covid-19 crisis in a dozen different European countries. Drawing on survey and qualitative data, we explore how these expanded support measures relate to the vision of Universal Basic Income. To what extent do they represent a step towards UBI, despite government hesitancy? And what do they say about the (in)ability of our existing social security systems to deal with crises? The report also investigates the popularity of UBI among Europe’s citizens. Has the pandemic made an impact on the way people talk and think of UBI?

Experts and stakeholders across Europe contributed data for this publication, and shared their insights and reflections as part of our project “Change of Mindset–Civil Society Dialogue around UBI, Social Justice, and Climate Impact.” As the debate continues, we too would be interested in expanding our analysis to include new information and additional countries.

If you wish to:

  • Submit a survey response;
  • Provide details or resources on countries not featured in this analysis;
  • Send us your feedback;

Please get in touch! GEF’s work on UBI continues–read more here.

 


This publication has been realised with the support of Visio and Fundació Nous Horitzons and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Metals for a Green and Digital Europe- An Agenda for Action

By Uncategorized

Context

The climate crisis leaves us no choice but to make a swift transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. However, while energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind is nearly infinite, the resources we need to capture it are not. Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and power cables all contain metals. Their various properties, including toughness and conductivity, make metals uniquely suitable for renewable energy technologies. But first they must be extracted from ores that are dug up from the ground. Because of its decentralised nature, a renewable energy system requires far larger quantities of metals than a fossil energy system.

 

The more energy we harvest from the skies above our heads, the deeper we will have to dig for the metals beneath our feet.

 

Objectives

Both the energy transition and the digital transition require large quantities of metals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth. As a result, Europe must face up to various types of scarcity. This Agenda for Action sets out how we can achieve the sparing, circular use of metals and the responsible sourcing of the virgin metals that we really need.

 

Download

Available in Dutch

Available in Spanish

Available in Czech 

Available in French

Available in Polish

Available in Swedish

Available in Serbian

Available in Portuguese

 


This publication is part of the Metals for a Green and Digital Europe project. The project is led by Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks and supported by Fundacja Strefa Zieleni, Institut Aktivního Občanství, the Green Economics Institute, Etopia, Visio, and Transición Verde, with Cogito from Sweden providing additional expertise.

European Green Perspectives on Basic Income

By Uncategorized

Context

Since 2017, the Green European Foundation has shaped the discussion of advancing universal basic income in Europe and, if possible, worldwide.

“European Green Perspectives on Basic Income” is the second volume of a collection of articles tackling different facets and perspectives on basic income (BI) 1.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the debate about basic income has gained a lot of traction. In Europe, and around the world, we’ve seen efforts to ease the economic crisis across all levels of government.

A considerable amount of aid programs that were approved included a partial basic income. For the first time, many people realised we can all suddenly find ourselves in an economically challenging situation through no fault of our own.

An unconditional basic income may help us focus our energies on finding a way out of this crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic further highlighted and aggravated social injustice and economic inequalities as much as it raised questions on the social responsibility of individuals and solidarity at all levels of society.

Objectives

Our aim is to support initiatives to foster a debate within and outside Green circles to learn from each other and to allow an exchange of alternative social policies. Following the suggestion of the “European Green network of basic income supporters”, we have updated and expanded the Green European Foundation’s publication, European Green Perspectives on Basic Income, from 2019 to create this present publication. Similar to the first edition, this second volume aims to provide insights into the discussions about BI in various European countries,–both within the Green movement as well as in the broader public–and contextualises those in historic and cultural prerequisites.

“From a degrowth perspective, UBI should be implemented as a tool to reinforce democracy by reconnecting people by creating solidarities and by questioning basic needs and how to fulfil them in a sustainable way.”

 

Download

Available  in Greek

Available in Albanian

Available in Croatian

Transport Investment: The Zero Carbon Challenge

By Uncategorized

Context

“Transport Investment: The Zero Carbon Challenge” is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The report exposes the uncomfortable truth that a major shift in transport infrastructure investment is needed. It quantifies the massive scale of transport infrastructure investment plans across the UK and EU and how this fails to align to existing climate targets. This highlights that whilst heavy goods transport, shipping and aviation are some of the hardest to decarbonise, demand for these transport modes are not being managed or constrained in line with climate commitments.

Objectives

The report calls on transport to have far stronger carbon targets so that it is able to help drive down carbon emissions across the rest of the economy, rather than holding back the transition to zero carbon. A radical overhaul of transport infrastructure spending plans is needed so that funding is redirected from expanding capacity, to decarbonising existing transport. The report is framed ,using the Zero Carbon Policy Toolkit introduced in GEF and Green House’s August 2020 report, Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon.

 

Facing up to climate reality requires governments to stop driving transport growth. It is just as irresponsible to expand transport – which leads to burning of more petrol, diesel, kerosene and heavy fuel oil – as to dig a new coal mine in Cumbria. In both cases new infrastructure stands in the way of phasing out the burning of fossil fuels. Governments must ensure investment is redirected from expanding transport to decarbonising what we have already. Continued transport capacity growth should also be classed as Ecocide.” 

 

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Available in Spanish

 

Visual material

 

 

 


This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

 

 

 

SAFE – A Guide for People Targeted by Online Violence

By Uncategorized

 

This guidebook was originally published by Vihreät Naiset (Green Women) for a Finnish audience. It has now been adapted and translated by GEF and its partners for European readers.
As political conversation and activism have shifted more and more onto different social media platforms, so have the voices of harm. The nonconstructive and human rights violating hate speech creep closer to their targets. These targets are most often women, LGBTQI+ people, people of colour, and people with disabilities. Filled with resources, concrete tips, and case examples, we hope that this guidebook provides support to anyone exposed to this kind of online violence because of their advocacy.


This publication has been realised with the financial support of the European Parliament.
The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this project.

Productive reforestation for living rural landscapes

By Uncategorized

This publication is part of the Green European Foundation’s Deforestation and Climate Change project and it compiles best practice examples gathered during the three webinars organised in March 2021 by GEF and the Green Institute Greece focusing on productive reforestations for pasture, beehiving, recreation and forestry as a means to combat climate change.

Agroforestry and small-scale traditional farming systems as well as multi- functional forest landscapes survived in many rural areas in Europe (as in mountains and islands) that escaped the large scale agricultural transformation that has been supported by the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In order to make the agricultural landscapes of Europe more resilient to climate change, funds like the NextGenerationEU must be appropriated for only sustainable projects.

In this publication you will find concrete recommendations on how to address the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss through policy change in the agricultural and forestry sectors, with agroforestry systems as part of the solution.

 

Also available in Greek: PARAGOGIKES ANADASOSEIS