Kadri Simson – Photo EC
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission has set out details of its plan, announced Wednesday EC chief Ursula von der Leyen, to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
The plan covering the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050, says the EU executive. The new target, based, it says, on a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts, demonstrates that this course of action is realistic and feasible.
The Commission has today:
- tabled an amendment to the proposed European Climate Law, to include the 2030 emissions reduction target of at least 55% as a stepping stone to the 2050 climate neutrality goal;
- invited the EU’s Parliament and Council to confirm this 55% target as the EU’s new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year;
- set out legislative proposals to be presented by June 2021 to implement the new target, including: revising and expanding the EU Emissions Trading System; adapting the Effort Sharing Regulation and the framework for land use emissions; reinforcing energy efficiency and renewable energy policies; and strengthening CO2 standards for road vehicles.
“Based on existing policies and the plans of Member States, we are on course to surpass our current 40% target for 2030,” said the Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson: “This shows that being more ambitious is not only necessary, but also realistic.”
Alongside the 2030 Climate Target Plan and its Impact Assessment, the Commission also adopted an assessment of Member States’ National Energy and Climate Plans for 2021-2030.
The Commission’s Assessment shows that the EU is on track to surpass its current 2030 emissions reduction target of at least 40%, in particular thanks to ongoing progress in deploying renewable energy across Europe.
To reach the new goal of 55%, the EU will have to further increase energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy. This, says the Commission, will now be subject to further consultation and analysis before legislative proposals are presented by the Commission in June 2021.
To support necessary investments, the Commission has also adopted today the rules for a new EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism, to make it easier for Member States to work together to finance and deploy renewable energy projects.
2030 Climate Target Plan - background guide
Communication on Stepping up Europe’s 2030 Climate Ambition
Impact Assessment on Stepping up Europe’s 2030 Climate Ambition (part 1) – (part 2)
