Global Justice: People and planet above Profit

I want to work to ensure a future where everyone thrives within the ecological limits of our planet.

Our current economic system, driven by profit seeking and the constant need for growth, is letting both people and the planet down. Large multinationals enjoy a great deal of influence and pay little to no tax, while growing inequality has left the most vulnerable struggling to make ends meet. Workers are faced with rising costs of living, low wages, and the lack of labour protection and uncertainty of the gig economy. At the same time, the fixation on economy growth has a severe ecological impact: pollution, biodiversity loss, and an accelerating climate crisis are all part of business as usual. 

It is clear that this is not the way forward. We need to re-think our economic models to ensure a just transition that acknowledges that climate justice and social justice are two sides of the same coin.

At the same time, we need to come to terms with the fact that these issues do not stop at the European borders. In fact, the European Union represents a huge consuming market and has the power to regulate companies to take up responsibility for its actions around the world. This change is also a matter of global justice, as every worker and farmer should enjoy decent working conditions, living wages and the right to organise. We cannot continue to accept that what we consume - food, clothing, electronics - is made possible by relying on forced labour, child labour, deforestation, pollution, or the dismissal of the needs of local communities. 

Beyond regulating corporate accountability, the EU needs to deliver a trade policy based on equality, sustainability and social development, where climate, nature and human rights are not an after thought. 

It is our responsibility to reform this broken system and make sure no one is left behind.