Open letters can be used to persuade decision-makers to support specific causes or actions. They are available to the public and often addressed to individuals, such as members of parliament, or organisations, such as governmental organisations.

In June 2024, our young climate ambassadors gathered together and wrote their own open letters lobbying the EU for sustainable climate action. Scroll down to read what changes Europe's youth wants to see implemented, or download their letters.

For tips on writing your own open letter, see our Youth Sustainable Development Guidebook!

Anja, Daniela, Qianzi, Sebastian, Kayleigh 

from Romania, Germany, Ireland and Portugal 

05/06/2024

Open Letter to the European Commission & European Environment Agency – EU Needs to Achieve Sustainability! 

Dear Ursula von der Leyen & André Weidenhaupt

We, representatives of 4 European NGOs from Romania, Germany, Ireland and Portugal, are writing to you to bring to your attention that our nations are failing to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These seventeen goals are designed to ensure the sustainability of our planet and society. We believe it to be urgent to address these goals to ensure that the European Union contributes to the sustainability of our shared home planet.

ROMANIA – UN SDG 14: Life Below Water

Over the last 40 years the Black Sea recorded a serious degradation of the aquatic ecosystem, mainly due to human pollution. Excessive nutrients concentration in water mass (from agriculture or sewage treatment) caused the apparition of eutrophication in Black Sea. Eutrophication disturbs aquatic ecosystems and is a risk to organisms that depend on water resources and also to human health.

In the Constanta area the major problem is caused by tourists coming during summer and firms that rent beaches for profit. The garbage that people throw in and that ships deposit causes more and more dolphins to die on shore – 3 dolphins were found dead mid-May. 

We need a new law that forces these firms to use a percentage of their profit to develop awareness campaigns all summer season, and to install bins on beaches and in public toilets.   

IRELAND – UN SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 

In Ireland many apartment blocks are built multiple stories in land that was previously used as schools, parks and green spaces. There are multiple blocks of apartments built beside each other but no parks or green spaces are being put in place alongside the apartments. More and more green space is being bought and sold to developers, leaving less and less areas for communities to access nature and the outdoors. The housing crisis in Ireland means that even though apartments are being built people could be waiting years on lists to access them.

When building homes or apartments, please leave an area for green space and parks for the community to access, build schools and community centres in the land where the apartments are being built.

Portugal – SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Portugal has made strides in improving access to clean water and sanitation, yet significant challenges remain. According to the latest data from the Portuguese Environment Agency, approximately 5% of the population still lacks access to clean drinking water, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, wastewater treatment infrastructure in many regions is inadequate, leading to environmental contamination and public health risks.

This issue is critical because access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health. Ensuring that every citizen has access to these basic services will improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the overall quality of life. Additionally, proper wastewater treatment is essential for protecting our ecosystems and maintaining the biodiversity that is vital for a sustainable future.

To address these challenges, we respectfully request the European Commission to consider the following recommendations:

1. Increase funding and support for water and sanitation infrastructure projects in rural and underserved areas of Portugal.

2. Implement stricter regulations and monitoring to ensure compliance with water quality standards.

3. Promote and facilitate the adoption of innovative and sustainable technologies for wastewater treatment.

4. Enhance public awareness and education programs about the importance of water conservation and sanitation.

Germany – SDG 4: Quality Education

I would like to see financial support for the establishment of special Sustainable Labs in European universities, in which employees from different departments work together with students on real-life projects in collaboration with other Sustainable Labs.

European universities in particular are places of diversity, dialog and change. Young, open, inquisitive adults learn together at universities and think about how they want to live now and in the future and how they can shape this life responsibly together.

Sincerely,

Anja, Daniela, Qianzi, Sebastian, Kayleigh 

Young representatives of Sweden, 

 Romania, Germany, Ireland, Portugal

05/06/2024

Open Letter to the European Parliament – We Need Clean Energy!

Dear Members of the European Parliament,

We, representatives of 5 European NGOs from Sweden, Romania, Denmark, Ireland and Portugal, are writing to you to bring to your attention that we lack adequate access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and clean energy.

Energy is not just a commodity but a fundamental need that supports every aspect of modern life. This is highlighted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all" by 2030. It is imperative that all EU citizens can trust that their energy is climate-friendly.

Despite progress, significant disparities remain. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2020, around 770 million people globally lack access to electricity, with many more unable to afford the energy they need for basic daily activities. In Europe, energy poverty remains a critical issue, affecting millions of households that struggle to meet their energy needs. In our experience, renovations for “green houses” are costing us and our families a lot of money, and the majority of us cannot afford it. 

To address this pressing issue, we advocate for several key actions:

1. More Investment: 

Assign more funds into building and improving our energy infrastructure. This means funding new technologies and upgrading old systems so they are more efficient and reliable.

2. Lower Material Costs: 

Find ways to make the materials for energy production cheaper. This could be through subsidies, tax breaks, or changes in regulations to make renewable energy projects more affordable.

3. Mix Up Energy Sources: 

Diversify our energy sources, focusing on renewables like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. Having a mix of energy options will make us more secure, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and help fight climate change.

In addition to these recommendations, we have specific requests to increase the accessibility and sustainability of energy.

4. Clean Energy for Public Transport: 

Public transportation is important for sustainable cities. Investing in clean energy for buses, trains, and trams will cut greenhouse gas emissions, clean up the air, and give us Europeans a reliable and affordable way to get around.

5. Connect Countries with Clean Energy: 

Increase connections between European countries by investing in clean energy infrastructure. This means building cross-border energy projects and integrating renewable energy into the European grid. It'll promote cooperation, make our energy more secure, and help us transition to a low-carbon economy.

We believe that by taking these steps, the European Parliament can make big progress towards achieving SDG 7 and ensuring energy is a basic right for everyone. We urge you to consider these recommendations and take action to address the energy needs of the people.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to seeing the European Parliament lead the way in creating a sustainable and fair energy future.

Sincerely,

Young ambassadors of European NGOs from Sweden, Romania, Denmark, Ireland and Portugal.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.