The European Green Deal

The European Green Deal is one of six priorities put forward by the European Commission that aims to help the EU become the first climate-neutral continent.

Central to the green transition in the EU is the European Green Pact. Each new Commission draws up priorities and strategies for their 5-year 'term of government'. The European Green Pact is very comprehensive and ambitious, and aims to transform the EU towards a green and sustainable CO2 neutral region by 2050. The Pact is also an important part of the recovery plan for the European economies after the Corona pandemic. The pact forms a central part of the financial framework agreement for the EU from 2021-2027, and amounts to approx. 30% of the budget.

At the forefront of the realization of the European Green Pact is Vice-President of the Commission and former Climate Commissioner, the Dutchman Frans Timmermann 

Timmermans warns on the cost of inaction on climate
Frans Timmermann 

Read more about Timmerman's and Timmermann's commission's policy areas here..

The European Green Pact consists of a large number of initiatives in relation to legislation, measures, financing, etc. Many of the initiatives and laws are still only on the drawing board. The Green Pact also specifies how the various goals are to be implemented.  

Some of the elements of the European Green Deal are:  

  • An actual climate law that must make the climate goal of CO2 neutrality in 2050
    legally binding in the Member States  
  • Limitation of CO2 emissions by at least 50% compared to the 1990 level 
  • Secure energy supply based on renewable energy 
  • Comprehensive plan for energy savings in the construction sector, 'A Renovation Wave for the EU' 
  • Transformation of the transport sector 
  • Investigation of financing options via energy taxation
    (EU border tax on CO2, via the CO2 allowance trading system, etc.)  
  • Action plan for a circular economy 
  • Biodiversity strategy 
  • 'Farm to fork' strategy to contribute to making the common agricultural policy greener 
  • A number of proposals for financing 
'A European Green Deal', graphic design, European Commission

Read more:

Link to the entire agreement: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication_en.pdf

The EU Council's page on what the EU is doing in relation to climate change: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/da/policies/climate-change/

The European Commission's page on climate action: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/index_en 

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