Climate summit: Belgian PM proposes young people to be part of the solution

In his speech at the COP27 climate summit on 8 November, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called on young people to become part of the solution and avoid the extreme climate actions of recent weeks, aiming at works of art.

"The fight against climate change is a fight for survival," said De Croo in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. "Our physical survival, but also the survival of social cohesion."

"On the one hand, we see the complete denial of global warming. Those people are burying their heads in the sand. At the other extreme, we see movements that damage buildings and works of art," he said.

De Croo argues for a middle ground. "My message today, especially for young people, is: be part of the solution with us. Study science and forge coalitions. Reach out to people with different ideas, because that's how you can make real change," he proposed.

"Disappointing"

According to Greenpeace Belgium, the Belgian government must also fulfil its promises in climate finance and put forward investments in public transport and renewable energy, among other things, as well as an increase in the tax on the profits of fossil energy giants.

Greenpeace Belgium spokesman Joeri Thijs considered De Croo's speech "empty and disappointing". "The Belgian climate report remains below par," said Thijs.

"Like the Prime Minister, we are concerned about the polarisation in the climate debate. But he has the solution in his own hands: with a fair, solidarity and ambitious climate policy, we get everyone on board," suggested Thijs.

(VIV)

^{#FlandersNewsService | Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo at the leaders summit of the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre, in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of the same name, on November 8, 2022 © BELGA PHOTO AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP}