Chiara Martinelli took up the position of director of Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, on 25 October. With over 180 member organisations active in 38 European countries, CAN Europe represents over 1.500 NGOs and more than 47 million citizens.
Chiara Martinelli has more than 15 years of working experience in the development cooperation sector. Before joining CAN Europe as a director, she was a senior advisor with the International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations, CIDSE.
Chiara has been leading CIDSE work on climate justice, food and agriculture, energy and sustainable lifestyles which privileged a strong engagement with CAN Europe’s work on tackling the climate emergency and its impacts on the most vulnerable. “It is with great responsibility that I’m joining CAN Europe’s fight against dangerous climate change, particularly in the midst of an energy prices crisis that rings once again the bell that we have to accelerate the transition towards a fully renewable energy system and a net-zero society and economy. The ongoing revamp of the EU’s climate and energy laws is the window of opportunity to put Europe on track to reaching the Paris Agreement’s goal and CAN Europe will continue to play a strengthened role in this process,” she said.
“We are delighted to welcome Chiara to this important position,” added the chair of the Board of Directors of CAN Europe, Josianne Gauthier.
“The climate crisis needs European governments to accelerate action and CAN Europe is a crucial driver to push governments forward. We are sure Chiara will strongly contribute to further developing a stronger and more impactful NGO network that ensures governments in the EU and beyond deliver on what is needed to avert dangerous climate change and reduce severe impacts on people and the environment.”
After ten years at the head of the organisation, the outgoing director, Wendel Trio, decided to explore new opportunities, while remaining engaged in the fight against climate change. During his mandate, Wendel and the CAN Europe’s secretariat not only successfully pushed for Europe to increase climate ambition by adopting the at least 55% emission reduction target for 2030, but also effectively contributed to emissions being reduced well beyond the agreed targets.
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