R11 A2: 2% of GDP towards climate solutions

To keep global warming below 1.5°C, strong action by national governments is
needed urgently. One way these governments can contribute to climate solutions
is by investing structurally in a just transition. Scientists at Sapienship
calculated that the 1.5°C target could be achieved with only 2% of global GDP
invested in climate solutions. The Global North bears a historic responsibility
in the climate crisis. As long as GDP is the main indicator for the financial
situation of a country, European governments should incorporate 2% of their GDP
towards a just transition in their (annual) budgeting.

Translating the 1.5°C goal agreed on in the international Paris Agreement into a
national commitment of 2% of GDP towards climate solutions, makes the fight for
1.5°C more tangible. This clear and reasonable demand allows young green
activists to effectively put pressure on the budgeting of their governments, and
keeping them accountable in the execution of their financial plans.

The focus of these investments should be in line with the focus points and
priorities stated in the FYEG Political Platform for a just transition towards
climate neutrality. Technical fixes thus cannot be the center of these
investments. National governments should think how they could invest public
money towards climate solutions in the most cost-effective way, aligned with
their national policy matters. Climate solutions oftentimes are interlinked and
feed into each other. For thematic practical implementation, we again refer to
our views in the FYEG Political Platform. Since more than 75% of greenhouse gas
emissions in the EU stem from the energy sector and as example case, the
investments of public money towards a just energy transition will be displayed
in the following:

The most effective way to save energy is by not using it. Energy efficiency
should be the number 1 priority for public spending by national governments.
Investments should go towards the insulation of all homes and buildings by 2030.
For a society that runs on 100% renewables, as it should by 2050, the energy
grid needs to be electrified. Public money should thus flow towards the
electrification of the energy grid and energy infrastructure.

Energy should be generated from renewable sources. Investments in wind and solar
energy would be part of the 2% GDP towards climate solutions package. Although
nuclear energy emits less carbon emissions, they cannot be included in this
budget, as they have other environmental implications (like the extraction of
uranium, security risks and the production of nuclear waste). Investment in
fossil fuels does not belong within this budgeting package, as it’s an energy
source from the past and needs to be phased out of the energy mix completely as
soon as possible. As the production of hydrogen is energy-intensive, it can only
be considered a sustainable and green source of energy if produced in a 100%
renewable way and used when no more energy efficient options are available.
Investments in research & development on hydrogen are eligible, yet should not
be the core objective of the 2% of GDP towards climate solutions. In this
investment package, the focus stays on the funding of an urgent just transition,
rather than the development of technical fixes. Also ‘green hydrogen’ imported
from the Global South can not be considered an investment in a sustainable
energy transition, as the transportation of hydrogen is an energy-intensive
process in itself and threatens the energy security of communities in the
exporting countries.

These investments will not only save us from climate catastrophe, but will also
generate economic & societal gain. This resolution focuses on ‘national
governments’, but 2% of of budgeting towards climate solutions should be the
goal of every government & could also be a goal for budgets of non-state actors
(organisations, universities, schools, …) all from their own focus & competence.
From the economic and financial gain that will emerge from these investments,
European governments have more budgetary room to pay up for ‘loss & damage’, to
countries in the Global South. ‘Loss & damage’ is not part of this financial
plan, but should get its own program in government spending.

From FYEG we claim to the member states of the European Union and the Council of Europe:

- Urge to all the memeber state to make an annual inventment of 2% of GDP in climate change mitigation and adaptation projects.These projects must focus on systemic change and therefore contemplate social, economic, and technical interdependence. The transition should not solely focus on technical aspects and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

- Urge the memeber states to distribute all the benefits and burdens fairly, give equality and representativeness within the decision-making processes and equally recognise all actors affected by the climate changes. For that Climate justice must be at the centre of all these projects.