We want an EU Climate Damage Repair Fund!

Why is this important?

When Valencian artist Juan Olivares discovered that his studio was under water, it was already too late. Twenty-five years of artworks, stored on the ground floor. “I tried to save as many paintings as possible by moving them upstairs until the water reached my chest,” he recounted. [1]

The floods that hit Valencia last October caused more than 12 billion euros of damage. Destroyed houses, closed businesses, lost jobs. [2] Communities that need to rebuild themselves after a climate disaster can call on a solidarity-pot of money in the EU. But this is not just for climate disasters and at just over one billion euros annually, it is a drop in the ocean, and always arrives months - sometimes years - too late. [3]

While European families lose everything, even their loved ones, to ever more deadly and disastrous climate catastrophes Europe continues to finance fossil fuel companies. Last year, the EU allocated 405 billion euros in funds to industries that feed the climate crisis to maintain their model of extracting and burning oil and gas. [4]

This December, the new European Commission takes office. With climate disasters in sharp focus, this is the moment to demand a European Climate Damage Repair Fund of at least €200 billion to aid communities hit by the climate crisis.

Von der Leyen promised to strengthen dialogue with Europeans and use all possible aid to protect communities from the devastating impact of climate disasters - now it's time to hold her to it. [5]

If thousands of citizens demand a solution, European leaders will not be able to ignore it.

References: