This win smells like sea spray and people power

If the past five years were about making decisions that protect nature and the climate, the current EU term is about conservative forces dismantling all that protects nature—and attacking those who defend the climate. Having leaders stand up for the planet has never been more important. [1]

Here’s how our community has recently pushed EU leaders to put people and the planet first:

We brought your voices to the EU’s top ocean official

Fishing nets as wide as a football field scoop up the seabed, bulldozing everything in their path—even in Europe’s so-called protected waters. But together, we’re fighting back against destructive bottom trawling.

• Over 200,000 people signed the petition to end destructive fishing in protected areas [2]
• 1,350 of you emailed EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, urging him to commit to real ocean protection—just before his confirmation hearing so he started his new job knowing what citizens wanted.
• Nearly 400 of you recorded personal video messages [3]—moving him in ways no report could.
• 6 incredible WeMove community members joined the petition delivery to the Commissioner in person—you showed Kadis the real faces behind the numbers. The Commissioner brought plans for speaking with member states about ending bottom trawling. See what our members say about this experience.
• 18 articles in newspapers across at least 5 countries covered our meeting with the Commissioner and your demands, adding pressure. [4]

It’s only thanks to this amazing community stepping up that we could bring all our voices to the heart of EU decision-making, and meet with Commissioner Kadis. A big thank you for making it possible!

📹 Watch the video from our petition delivery to Commissioner Kadis:

With just weeks left to shape the EU’s new ocean action plan, we made sure Commissioner Kadis felt the weight of public demand to end destructive fishing in protected areas. Now more than ever, we’ll need him to push governments across the EU to enforce the law and truly protect our oceans.

We stood up for those who speak up for people and the planet

Conservative and far right EU lawmakers tried to block environmental groups from using EU funds to represent citizens’ interests. They pressured the European Commission to cut off support for those defending people and the planet. [5]

But we didn’t stay silent. Over 1,200 of us emailed key Commissioners, urging them to protect funding that empowers citizens to fight back against corporate interests. And it worked!

Our voices gave the Commission the public backing it needed to stand firm. Soon after, the Budget Commissioner publicly defended environmental organisations and their crucial role in shaping EU decisions. [6]

Then, on 7 May, the European Parliament confirmed in a decisive vote that this funding is legal, legitimate, and vital to our democracy. [7]

80,000 of us pushed back against this attack on nature defenders, alongside many organisations at risk. [8] And together, we’ve shown politicians that people across Europe want to have a voice in ending the climate crisis and defending Europe’s nature teeming with life.

The fight continues

While we’re celebrating these hard-won milestones, the fight is far from over. Conservative forces continue to gain more power, dismantle hard-won protections for nature and attack those who defend our planet. That’s why we need to stay strong and ready for what’s next. Together, we can keep pushing the EU to put people and the planet first.