The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2019 published today shows that the world’s business leaders perceive the failure to tackle climate change as the number two risk that the world faces over the next decade, both in terms of likelihood and impact.

In reaction to this year’s Global Risk Report, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:

“After a year when millions of people have suffered from devastating extreme weather, the existential threat posed by climate change and the huge economic costs it causes have become very evident. Keeping temperature rise to 1.5°C would significantly reduce the risks for many European citizens and businesses. The IPCC report released last year gave us hope that it is possible, but only if decision makers make every effort to accelerate the pace of emission cuts. Europe needs to lead by example by radically increasing its 2030 climate target and committing to reduce emissions to net zero by 2040.”

ENDS

Contact:

Ania Drazkiewicz, CAN Europe Head of Communications, ania@caneurope.org, +32 494 525 738

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe's leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 150 member organisations from 35 European countries, representing over 1.700 NGOs and more than 40 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.