![Newly-published climate change data, which indicates that 2024 was the hottest year on record, presents a "moment of choice" for Europe's leaders, the European Green Party has said, as to whether they are willing to "take decisive action, or [...] allow the crisis to spiral further."](https://sustainabilityonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/pexels-studioideahd-22046935.jpg)
Newly-published climate change data, which indicates that 2024 was the hottest year on record, presents a “moment of choice” for Europe‘s leaders, as to whether they are willing to “take decisive action, or […] allow the crisis to spiral further”, the European Green Party has said.
Vula Tsetsi and Ciarán Cuffe, co-chairs of the European Green Party, were commenting on the back of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) confirming that 2024 was the warmest year since records began in 1850, with the temperature exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Europe, in particular, bore the brunt of the climate crisis over the past 12 months, with heatwaves, wildfires, and flooding impacting the continent, affecting millions of people.
‘Short-term political gain’
Cuffe pointed the finger at centrist and right-wing parties for failing to commit to urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change, commenting, “Despite the ever growing body of evidence, and the climate catastrophes that have struck European countries, the European People’s Party led by Manfred Weber continues with their greenbashing, attacking climate policies for short-term political gain and kicking the can down the road.
“By delaying the solutions urgently needed to curb the devastation of extreme weather events, centrist and right-wing parties are failing to protect the people, today and for future generations. Climate justice delayed is climate justice denied.”
‘Numerous side benefits’
Fellow co-chair Vula Tsetsi echoed his statements, noting that climate action can bring “numerous side benefits”, as has been demonstrated by the growth of renewable energy across Europe.
“We want to ensure that green measures continue to deliver benefits for the wider population: they contribute to lower bills, to decent housing, and quality jobs,” she said. “We have seen substantial progress in green legislation over the last decade, and we want to maintain that momentum in these challenging times.” Read more here.
