The Friends of Nature demand that the European Union and its member states pursue ambitious climate policies, consistent with cutting-edge research findings and based on compliance with the 2°C standard.

By dint of its historic responsibility and its economic strength, the EU has to take the lead in the ongoing negotiations on an international post-Kyoto agreement. Taking the lead would imply to come up with a holistic, cross-sectoral climate programme for the energy, transport and construction sectors as well as for agriculture and forestry.

On the other hand, the Climate Charter is a means of setting ambitious goals for the movement of Friends of Nature itself, with a view to pursuing a best-practice course towards cultural change, in its capacity as one the large European federations that champion sustainable development. What we wish to demonstrate is that we are ready to shed old habits and change familiar structures. Ready to cast a critical eye on our day-to-day activities and our consumer decision-making, which we still take for granted. To ‘live’ climate protection is an exciting challenge even for Friends of Nature – it is both a global and a social challenge to which we want to face up with the concerted power of our historic ideals. Aware of all the hazards inherent in climate change, we should not miss out on a potential opportunity: A successful response to climate change forged by a cross-national family of nations would be a prime mover to sustainable development in all its dimensions.