When the EU’s strategy for a “Green Deal” was published in December 2019, the European Disability Forum (EDF) had high hopes. The new strategy promised to tackle climate change by addressing different policy areas from transport, housing and the built environment, financing the green transition, and the internal market.
EDF decided to take this opportunity and raise awareness of the needs for an inclusive Green Deal that leaves no-one behind. Initially, we mainly focussed on accessibility to be included as part of the sustainability-debate, to make transport and built environment future-proof and avoid the need for additional renovations in the coming years. The Green Deal was initially drafted without consultation from Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) so involvement of persons with disabilities in its implementation as well as alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was also key demands.
However, we quickly realised that these efforts were not enough. In this article, we outline what has been achieved so far and the key challenges that remain to be addressed.
What has been achieved
Although the disability movement had limited involvement with the climate movement previously, we recognised the need to align our demands. We quickly identified an opportunity to advocate for accessibility as an integral part of sustainability in proposed legislation. After all, what’s the use of an energy-efficient building if it needs costly renovations for accessibility just a few years later? This approach wastes resources and fails to address the urgent need for accessible housing.
We identified several noteworthy initiatives, including the “Renovation Wave” and the “Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.” Our advocacy focused on four key initiatives that proved very successful:
Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
It was published in 2020 and gives more details on the transport component of the Green Deal. Notably, Flagship 9—”Make Mobility Fair and Just for All”—addresses passenger rights, including those of passengers with disabilities. For a full breakdown, see the EDF analysis here.
The New Urban Mobility Framework
This strategy was a follow-up to the 2013 Urban Mobility Package and did mention persons with disabilities. It is especially positive that Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) play a stronger role to also promote accessibility. However, this is not sufficient. The Communication takes stock of the current issues, but it does not recognise the need for binding EU laws in this area, which is a missed opportunity.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR)
The aim of the Regulation is to set targets for more electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. We succeeded to include accessibility of charging stations and
guidelines are now being developed in the relevant Commission working group (sub-group of the Sustainable Mobility Forum). EDF is not directly involved but we contribute via other stakeholders. Additionally, it was recently decided that a new European Standard (EN) will be developed, in which we will try to be involved.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
The Directive sets targets for energy efficiency levels of buildings, both new and renovated. We succeeded to make it obligatory to address accessibility in new and renovated buildings – this is the first time ever we achieved to include concrete accessibility obligations for buildings in EU legislation (in the Accessibility Act it was only an optional clause). It also contains provisions on information, guidance, and training to be inclusive and accessible. Member States now have to draw up National Renovation Plans and consult NGOs to formulate concrete targets and we will support EDF members in the national advocacy efforts. See the EDF analysis here.
Social Climate Fund and Just Transition Fund
New funding mechanisms financed via the revised Emissions Trading System (ETS II), NextGenerationEU, and Cohesion Policy. The Social Climate Fund focuses on that “the most affected vulnerable groups are directly supported” in the green transition and not left behind. It includes new definitions of “energy poverty“ and “transport poverty“. The Just Transition Fund focuses on economic diversification of the territories most affected by the climate transition as well as on the reskilling and active inclusion. See the joint statement EDF signed here.
Besides EDF’s advocacy work, we have also started to “walk the talk” by adopting an internal “Green EDF Policy” to improve our own sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint in our daily operations.
The remaining challenges
EDF had some great successes, especially with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, but one thing became very clear in the past 5 years: while the EU has made an effort to tackle the green transition, there has not been enough focus on making this transition also a social one.
The EU economy must transform to meet the 55% greenhouse gas reduction target, but the social challenges of this transition remain largely unaddressed. The Social Climate Fund and Just Transition Funds have faced criticism for being too limited, lacking Civil Society Organisation input, and overly dependent on Member States’ National Climate Plans.
In response, we joined the Just Transition Alliance to strengthen our advocacy efforts. The EU continues to fall short in adequately supporting persons with disabilities as empowered consumers capable of making sustainable choices.
Conclusion
It is time for the European Commission to plan ahead – an update of the strategy is needed. But this time, it should be a Green and Social Deal that truly does not leave anyone behind.
Contact
Marie Denninghaus, EDF Senior Policy Coordinator