EU reaffirms ambition for climate neutrality by 2050
Climate change - Photo Mariaisen
(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission reaffirmed the EU's commitment to accelerated climate ambition Wednesday, as it makes preparations for a long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
In preparation for the Climate Action Summit by the United Nations Secretary General in New York on 23 September, the Commission puts the European Union at the forefront of global climate action, negotiating "an inclusive international framework to respond to this challenge, while acting domestically with unity, speed and decisiveness".
It adds that the EU has put concrete actions behind its Paris Agreement commitments, in line with the outgoing Juncker Commission's priority of establishing an 'Energy Union' with a forward-looking climate change policy.
"The European Union will bring to New York the fruit of our work on the Energy Union," said Commission Vice-president for the Energy Union Maroš Šefcovic: "a realistic perspective of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, backed by ambitious policies set in binding legislation."
He said all sectors are contributing to the transition, and he hopes that at the Climate Action Summit, EU plans would provide inspiration for other countries.
The European Union is the first major economy to put in place a legally binding framework to deliver on its pledges under the Paris Agreement and it is successfully transitioning towards a low emissions economy, with a view to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
Ambitious climate action enjoys strong democratic support. According to the latest special Eurobarometer on climate change as published today, 93% of Europeans believe that climate change is a serious problem.
The EU and its member states are also actively preparing to put forward by early 2020 a long-term strategy with the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
According to the Eurobarometer, 92% of Europeans supported making the EU climate-neutral by 2050. Under the Paris Agreement, all parties have to present a long-term strategy by 2020.
Special Eurobarometer on Climate Change with Member State specific factsheets
Special Eurobarometer on Energy with Member State specific factsheets