Nachrichten & Pressemeldungen - © Initiative Supply Chain Act 19 September 2023 Hot phase in the weather and for the EU Supply Chain Act During these weeks, the details of the EU Supply Chain Act will be negotiated. At the same time, the catastrophic impact of the global climate crisis on people and the environment is unmistakable: This is mainly due to the textile industry, which is one of the largest greenhouse gas producers. The use of chemicals puts people and natural resources at risk. There is no question: Climate action cannot wait – and the EU Supply Chain Act can contribute to this. Companies contribute massively to the progress of the climate crisis through their business activities. How to cause 100 companies 71 percent global greenhouse gas emissions. These figures underline the great responsibility of companies for climate protection. However, many companies do not seem to base their actions on rising sea levels, but only on rising profits. A significant example of this are large energy companies. Under public pressure, they had promised to reduce their oil and gas production and thus reduce emissions. But these seem to be just empty words, because: They are withdrawing their commitments or ending investments in climate-friendly technologies, despite record gains in the past year due to the war of aggression against Ukraine. So we can no longer rely on voluntary commitments from companies. The EU Supply Chain Act must therefore create binding and strong rules to make climate protection mandatory for companies. For this purpose, it must contain independent climate-related due diligence requirements. This means, for example, that companies must develop and implement ambitious climate protection plans, with concrete reduction targets and timetables in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. Emissions should be taken into account throughout the value chain. And: There should be no greenwashing. Supervisory authorities must therefore also check the consistency and implementation of the climate plans and impose sanctions in the event of non-compliance. But the climate protection obligations for companies threaten to be diluted. In the European Council of Ministers, the Federal Government has also helped to create exception rules that undermine effective control of climate plans. For example, supervisors should only check whether there is a climate plan – not whether it is implemented. Given the ongoing climate crisis and its catastrophic impact, we must not miss the opportunity to create strong climate-related due diligence obligations for businesses now. We need to make it clear to policy makers in Germany that climate-related due diligence is an important part of an effective EU supply chain law. For this purpose, please use our Promotional postcards. Together we can work for effective legislation and thus contribute to the protection of our planet. Join us now and write a letter to Olaf Scholz
