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Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Climate change is one of the major challenges of our society since it leads to many adverse impacts on ecosystems, economic sectors, and human health and well-being. Extreme weather and climate-related events resulting from climate change impact the availability of necessities like fresh water, food security, biodiversity and they lead to hazards such as floods and droughts. Anticipation and prevention of the consequences of climate change demand all of us to do a transition in our economies and our way of life.

SDG 13 aims to strengthen the resilience of countries and their adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters by integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into national strategies, policies and planning. On the European level, the European Green Deal wants to engage the EU in the challenge of a “climate-neutral” Europe by 2050.

This needed transition to greener economies and behaviours requires awareness-raising and new capacity to confront this challenge. The demand for new skills goes from new high-skills (e.g. development of new technologies, renewable energy), to the engagement of individuals, companies and institutions towards adapted strategy and actions. All sectors are concerned: from big companies to small and micro-businesses, private and public. And many jobs can become green jobs.

Trainers and teachers can help learners to better understand how climate change can impact their daily life and work environment. Learners should also become aware of their contribution to climate change in order to analyse it and define new methods and attitudes to better contribute to mitigation and adaptation.

SDG13 seeks to remind us to implement the commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its further developments.

Action Area

  • Greenhouse gas emissions

    Greenhouse gas emissions

    Climate change is caused by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We need to reduce these emissions substantially to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on Europe and the whole world. Carbon dioxide is considered the main greenhouse gas. The severity of climate change will depend on how much and how quickly we can make better choices for transport, energy sources and consumption, waste production, and other activities. We can calculate our carbon footprint and attempt to contribute to the reduction of emissions to make the difference.
  • Energy consumption

    Energy consumption

    The more electricity we use, the higher the demand to produce this electricity will be. Even if EU renewable energy production is increasing, 40 % of the electricity consumed in the EU comes from power stations burning fossil fuels, producing more GHG emissions. Moreover, the EU still imports around 50% of its energy, mainly petroleum products. To limit this important source of GHG emissions, the EU strategy targets a higher contribution of renewable energy in our electricity production. At an individual level, one can increase energy efficiency (at home, of various household appliances) and reduce energy consumption. This ensures a contribution to the reduction of both GHG emissions and the electricity bill!
  • Sustainable living

    Sustainable living

    There are plenty of things we can change in our way of life to reduce our GHG emissions and to contribute to Climate change mitigation. Our individual lifestyle choice and awareness of our real needs can reduce our carbon footprint. The way we behave as a consumer has a reversed effect. Better managing our energy consumption at home by using more energy efficient fridge, oven or other equipment, by improving insulation, adjusting temperatures by a few degrees or by choosing a company supplying green energy can help. We can also reduce GHG emissions by modifying our way of shopping and consuming. But if our individual consumption patterns can change positively towards a more sustainable way of life, acting on a community level is even more efficient: taking part in beach cleaning or community garden with a local NGO or developing organising carpooling or home composting with your neighbours, will foster our common engagement towards sustainable living.
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