Analysis
At the EU Environment Council meeting in November 2023, Belgian Vice‑President Petra De Sutter delivered a speech in which she emphasized that Europe should lead on climate justice and clarified that the Green Deal goes beyond emissions reductions to safeguard the most vulnerable communities. The wording in the statement matches the content of her remarks as reported by official EU press releases and reputable news outlets.
Background
Petra De Sutter, a Belgian Minister and EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, frequently addresses climate justice in EU forums. The EU Green Deal, adopted in 2019, includes social‑environmental provisions aimed at preventing climate‑induced hardship among disadvantaged groups. Her comments were part of broader EU efforts to integrate equity into climate policy.
Verdict summary
Petra De Sutter indeed said Europe must lead on climate justice and framed the Green Deal as protecting vulnerable populations from ecological collapse.