| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: DG Climate Action |
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| Series Details | COM (2020) 563 |
| Publication Date | 17/09/2020 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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Summary: Legislative initiative initially tabled by the European Commission in March 2020, aimed at writing into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal relating to climate neutrality by 2050. An amended proposal was adopted on 17 September to reflect a revised target for reducing in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This proposal aims to amend Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Further information: The Communication setting out the European Green Deal launched a new growth strategy for the European Union (EU). The European Green Deal also reaffirms the European Commission's ambition to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Tackling climate change is seen as an urgent challenge, one which requires the EU to step its action to show global leadership by setting such target, covering all sectors of the economy and compensating, by 2050, not only any remaining CO2 but also any other remaining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as set out in the 2018 Communication on 'A Clean Planet for All'. This proposal aims to establish the framework for achieving EU climate neutrality. It aims to provide a direction by setting a pathway to climate neutrality, and enhance certainty and confidence on this commitment. To this end, it puts forward legally-binding target net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This would mean achieving such a target for Member States of the European Union (EU) as a whole. The proposed law aims to ensure that all policies contribute to this goal and that all sectors of the economy and society play their part. It includes measures to keep track of progress and adjust actions accordingly. Progress is to be reviewed every five years. This initiative was first unveiled as the European Green Deal was published in November 2019, and a public discussion was launched in January 2020 through a high-level public conference on 'Implementing the European Green Deal - the European Climate Law'. A public consultation on a future European Climate Pact was also launched alongside the legislative initiative. The proposal was formally adopted by the Commission on 4 March 2020. On the same day, the relevant committee of the European Parliament held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the proposal which was attended by Greta Thunberg. This committee adopted on 10 September 2020 its position on the initiative. On 17 September, the European Commission tabled an amended proposal to reflect a revised target for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as stated in the so-called 2030 Climate Target Plan. The plenary of the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on 7 October, which further increases the target to 60% from the Commission's proposed 55%. The Council of the European Union adopted a partial general approach on this proposal at a meeting on 23 October, and a full general approach at a meeting on 17 December. This was as a result of political guidance by the European Council set out earlier in the month by a political agreement on a binding target for the European Union (EU) of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in (GHG) emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990). |
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| Source Link | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2020:0563:FIN |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Subject Tags | Climate Change |
| Keywords | Greenhouse Gas | GHG Emissions |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
