Reports on the state of biodiversity from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and on global warming of 1.5ºC from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warn of a course that leads to the deterioration of a large number of ecosystems, as well as the extinction of one million species that are seriously threatened by human activity.

We are also on the verge of a point of no return regarding climate change.

This climate crisis is a consequence of a production and consumption model that has demonstrated:

1. Being unsuitable for meeting human needs
2. Endangering our survival
3. And unfairly impacting the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations

 

Failing to respond quickly and decisively enough to the ecological and civilizational emergency would mean the death of millions of people and the irreplaceable extinction of species essential for life on Earth, given our complex ecosystem interrelationships.

The data indicates that Mediterranean regions are among the most vulnerable to climate change, so failing to limit the global temperature to +1.5ºC will be too costly a price for present and future generations.

 

It is the responsibility of government institutions to rise to the demands of the moment to urgently reduce CO2eq (carbon equivalent) emissions, readjusting the ecological footprint to the planet's biocapacity.

Achieving these goals necessarily requires:

 

HONESTY

To acknowledge the urgency of the current situation by accepting the diagnosis, indications and reduction pathways reflected in the latest report on 1.5ºC, endorsed by the scientific community.  

 

COMMITMENT

Make real and binding political commitments with allocated resources to address this crisis. Guarantee global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of between 40 and 60% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Furthermore, it is essential to halt biodiversity loss to prevent a collapse of all natural systems, including human ones.

 

SOLIDARITY

The environmental deterioration of living conditions is experienced unequally depending on social class, gender, origin, and abilities. The transition must protect the most vulnerable populations. Planetary degradation and growing inequality share a common origin and reinforce each other. The most disadvantaged groups cannot have their situation worsen; therefore, the transition must be carried out with social justice.

In the case of the affected territories and workers, it is necessary to adopt measures to ensure alternative employment in sustainable sectors; address the energy crisis; reduce working hours; promote a better distribution of employment; and develop other mechanisms related to a Just Transition that must ensure no one is left behind.

 

DEMOCRACY

Justice and democracy must be fundamental pillars of the measures implemented. Therefore, appropriate mechanisms for citizen participation and oversight must be created to address complex social issues and to actively contribute to the solution through the democratization of energy, food, transportation, and other systems.
Gender equality in decision-making must be guaranteed in these processes.
A complete overhaul of international trade policies is necessary, ending the signing of trade and investment treaties that increase emissions through the rise in interoceanic shipping and civil aviation, and which hinder the fight against climate change through Investment Dispute Settlement (IDS) clauses.
Market-based measures cannot replace proper planning for the ecological transition. Impoverished countries are the least responsible for planetary degradation.
The wealthiest countries are the ones that accumulate the greatest environmental debt. Therefore, and in accordance with the principles of climate justice, countries like those in Europe must make greater commitments. It is necessary to reverse the fact that 20% of the world's population absorbs 80% of natural resources.

 

GLOBAL ACTION

We ask that governments analyze how to achieve the goal of abandoning fossil fuels and having 100% renewable energy with action plans that halt new fossil infrastructure (power plants, exploration, large ports, etc.); that reduce consumption levels of materials, energy and mobility needs; that promote a change in the energy model without false solutions such as nuclear energy; that reorganize the production system of materials and food; that promote education, in addition to other decisive measures.

 

LOCAL ACTION

Both Paterna and L'Eliana have passed motions declaring their municipalities in a state of climate emergency.

We hope that San Antonio de Benagéber will do so shortly, as this declaration entails establishing the political, regulatory, and resource commitments necessary to achieve such important objectives as:

• Reduce emissions to zero by 2040
• Commit to 100% renewable energy
• Reduce energy demand to sustainable levels
• Halting biodiversity loss
• Restoring ecosystems
• Recovering natural environments through smart management
• Managing farmland to prevent erosion
• Stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure
• Achieving sustainable mobility by promoting walking, cycling, and public transport
• Promoting increased energy efficiency
• Creating healthy and sustainable cafeterias with locally sourced and organic produce
• Implementing a zero-waste policy
• Avoiding working with banks that finance fossil fuel projects
• Creating educational spaces to raise public awareness about the climate emergency

 

These objectives must include quantifiable indicators and targets throughout the entire process. This declaration of a climate emergency also grants a decisive role to citizens, both in participating in decision-making and in monitoring and overseeing the measures adopted.

The implementation of these measures is quite uneven. In l'Eliana, the City Council has promoted a participatory network with citizen involvement, while in Paterna, the current governing team hinders citizen participation and fails to implement the measures it approved in the climate emergency declaration. As for San Antonio, declaring the municipality in a state of climate emergency would represent a first and important step, conveying to the population the need for clear objectives to advance on the path to sustainability.

 

The Aliança per l'Emergència Climàtica of Paterna, l'Eliana and San Antonio de Benagéber wants our municipalities to transform themselves to face the challenges of the climate emergency.

 

We need each City Council to develop, in a participatory manner, a roadmap with clear and measurable objectives that is accompanied by financial resources.

 

Therefore, in defense of the future, a living planet and a just world, the following entities join the Aliança per l'Emergència Climàtica de Paterna, L'Eliana i San Antonio de Benagéber.

Comunidad Energética Local de La Canyada

AAVV La Canyada

Coordinadora per la Protecció de Les Moles

GATS La Canyada