EU 2030 target: 55 % reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
The European Council decided in 2020 that EU’s greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 base levels. The target has in June 2021 been made legally binding through the adoption of the European Climate Law. To implement the 2030-target of at least 55 percent, the Commission has 14 July 2021 tabled a Fit for 55 package.. The package contains new proposals for legislation (e.g. a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) and a number of revisions of existing legislation (e.g. EU ETS, Effort Sharing Regulation, Directive of Renewables Energy, Directive on Energy Efficiency, Regulation on CO2-standards for light vehicles).. In addition, the Commission is expected to present further measures in December 2021, e.g. a revision of the Directive of Energy Performance of Buildings and a new proposal for reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector.
Green Deal
At the end of 2019, the European Commission adopted the Green Deal as the leading strategy for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The European Green Deal consist and points to a number of political initiatives which the European Commission intends to propose. This involves new legislation in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, EU ETS, renovation of buildings, biodiversity, circular economy, sustainable finance and innovation.
The European Green Deal is based on three principles:
- there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050
- economic growth is decoupled from resource use
- no person and no place is left behind
The Green Deal. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called the adoption of the European Green Deal a “man-on-the-moon”-moment for Europe as the strategy will make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world.
Fit for 55 package
To achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, the Commission has tabled a Fit for 55 package to reduce emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030.
The Fit for 55 package covers a number of areas, e.g.:
- A revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), including CORSIA, maritime transport, buildings and road transport
- A revision of the Effort Sharing Regulation
- A revision of the LULUCF Regulation
- A revision of the Directive of Renewable Energy
- A revision of the Directive of Energy Efficiency
- A revision of the Taxation Directive
- A proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
- A proposal for ReFuelEU Aviation
- A proposal for Fuel EU Maritime
Council of Ministers Meetings
The Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities participates in Council of Ministers meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg to discuss items on the climate and energy policy agenda with colleagues from other EU countries and to adopt new EU legal acts.
Energy issues are generally addressed within the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council formation, while climate matters are discussed in the Environment Council (ENVI). These meetings take place approximately twice per half-year.
The EU Energy Union
Concrete cooperation on energy and climate policy is gathered under the EU’s Energy Union, which aims to make energy more secure, affordable, and sustainable to benefit European consumers and the competitiveness of European businesses. The Energy Union is based on five interrelated and mutually reinforcing dimensions:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Increased energy supply security
- Improved energy efficiency
- Development of a fully integrated internal energy market
- Research and innovation