BACKGROUND:
Last summer,
France announced
the creation of
a citizens' panel
on climate change
made up
of 150 people
who would offer
ideas and views
on an array
of issues
touching on
climate change
"in keeping with
the spirit
of social justice".
At the end of
November 2019,
the European
Parliament voted
to declare a
"climate and
environment
emergency" ,
just before
the UN global crisis
summit in Madrid.
The motion
urged efforts
to ensure the
"objective
of limiting
global
warming
to under
+1.5 degrees C .
It was followed by
similar moves
in a number of
parliaments
across the EU,
notably in France,
the United Kingdom
and Austria.
SPAIN:
Prime Minister
Pedro Sanchez's
leftwing coalition
government
took office on
January 13, 2020.
He committed
to updating the
national plan
for tackling
climate change.
Spain's new
government
declared a
"climate
emergency" .
They pledged a bill
on transitioning to
renewable energy,
within their first
100 days in office.
Then,
in a statement
after a weekly
cabinet meeting,
the government
committed
to a draft bill
"to reduce
greenhouse gas
emissions with
the objective
of reaching
climate
neutrality
by 2050"
( effectively net-zero
carbon emissions ).
The government
has decided
to ensure that
"climate change
and the transition
is the cornerstone
for all (ministerial)
departments and
governmental action,"
spokeswoman
Maria Montero
told reporters.
Environment Minister
Teresa Ribera said
the government
had been inspired
by French moves
to create a public
advisory panel
"to generate ideas
about responding
to climate change
in an inclusive,
consultative way
with a special focus
on the youth."