European Green Deal must strengthen partner countries’ recovery from the COVID-19 crisis

Fern and 15 other NGOs working on climate, environment, human rights and sustainable development issues have released a statement on the EU’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

The statement welcomes EU leadership in supporting partner countries' efforts in fighting the pandemic. But in the short term, the EU needs to prioritise the needs of local communities, vulnerable groups and those on the frontlines of the pandemic in partner countries. It must also ensure that transparency, inclusiveness, and equity guide all efforts. 

In the medium to long term, efforts to support green, equitable and resilient recovery plans in partner countries needs to align climate and biodiversity objectives with the Sustainable Development Goals and European Green Deal commitments. 

The statement supports the February 2020 recommendations from NGOs on Making the European Green Deal work for International Partnerships. 

Categories: Briefing Notes, Illegal logging