Re-building the EU project on people and nature
Date
Sections
Today at the Bratislava Summit Heads of state and government of 27 EU member states meet to continue a political reflection on the future of Europe. BirdLife Europe joins 177 Civil Society Organizations’ call to EU leaders[1] to be guided by the principles of solidarity, unity and to refocus on an EU that delivers societal and environmental benefits for all.
Ariel Brunner, Senior Head of Policy at BirdLife Europe and Central Asia said: “Focussing just on immigration, terrorism and fears of globalisation is not going to solve the EU crisis. The Sustainable Development Goals offer a holistic framework for building a better Europe. Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss should be a top priority as there cannot be a healthy society without a healthy planet. By doing so EU leaders will reconnect the EU project to its citizens and help create a better, more robust economy that provides decent jobs and wellbeing for all.”
Polls show 95% of EU citizens consider the environment personally important to them. Embracing the protection of nature as a top goal will be proof positive that the EU project listens to its people and delivers on their concerns. ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Ariel Brunner, Senior Head of Policy, BirdLife Europe
Ariel.Brunner@birdlife.org
Office: +32 (0) 2 238 50 92
Mobile: +32 491 90 46 53
Christopher Sands, Head of Communications, BirdLife Europe
christopher.sands@birdlife.org
Office: +32 (0)2 238 5094
Mobile: + 32 491 90 46 54
Notes:
[1] Common statement by 177 European and national Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is a partnership of 48 national conservation organisations and a leader in bird conservation. Our unique local to global approach enables us to deliver high impact and long term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is one of the six regional secretariats that compose BirdLife International. Based in Brussels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present in 47 countries including all EU Member States.
With more than 4100 staff in Europe, two million members and tens of thousands of skilled volunteers, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, together with its national partners, owns or manages more than 6000 nature sites totalling 320,000 hectares.
