After an expression that imposes a need or a wish on someone else - cal que, és urgent que, volem que, exigim que - the second verb goes into the present subjunctive. Its mark is the vowel i in the endings (que reciclin, que el govern actuï, que s'aprovi). When there is no que and no change of subject, use the plain infinitive instead: cal reciclar.
Examples
- Cal que reduïm les emissions abans del 2030.
- We need to cut emissions before 2030.
- Volem que el govern actuï ara.
- We want the government to act now.
- És urgent que s'aprovi la nova llei.
- It is urgent that the new law be passed.
- Cal reciclar més.
- We need to recycle more.
The mistake to avoid
Don't use the subjunctive after cal when there is no que: cal reciclar (infinitive), but cal que reciclem.
Where this fits in
Medi ambient i sostenibilitat, Catalan B2: Discuss climate change, sustainable living and urban mobility, and say what must be done about them.