Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (‘European Climate Law’)

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 - adopted by the European Union on 30 June 2021 - establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality in the European Union (EU). It amends Regulation (EC) N0 401/2009 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The Regulation is also known as the European Climate Law.

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.

The idea was first unveiled with the European Green Deal upon its launch in November 2019. A public discussion was launched in January 2020. The original draft law was tabled by the European Commission on 4 March 2020. It aimed at the establishment of a framework for achieving climate neutrality in the EU. It provided a direction by setting a pathway to achieve the objective, and enhance certainty and confidence on the commitment. It put forward legally-binding target net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This would mean achieving such a target for EU Member States as a whole. The proposed text aimed to ensure that all policies contribute to this goal and all sectors of society and economy play their part.

The relevant committee of the European Parliament held a meeting to discuss this proposal upon its publication on 4 March, 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).

An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this draft law was reached on 21 April 2021. Both the Council and the Parliament formally endorsed the text in June 2021. The Regulation was signed on 30 June 2021 and published in the Official Journal on 9 July 2021.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 04/03/2020: Brussels’ climate ambitions run into national resistance https://www.politico.eu/pro/brussels-climate-green-deal-climate-law-ambitions-run-into-national-resistance/

EurActiv: Special Reports, March 2020: Europe’s new Climate Law: Leaving no-one behind? https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/special_report/europes-new-climate-law-leaving-no-one-behind/

Eversheds Sutherland: Articles, 23/03/2020: Delivering climate neutrality- the European Climate Law https://www.eversheds-sutherland.com/global/en/what/articles/index.page?ArticleID=en/Environment/Delivering-climate-neutrality-the-European-Climate-Law

Maastricht University: Law Blog, 30/03/2020: The European climate law: too much power for the Commission? https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/blog/2020/03/european-climate-law-too-much-power-commission

Greenpeace, 28/04/2020: EU Parliament lead negotiator backs 65% climate emission cuts by 2030 https://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/issues/climate-energy/2787/eu-parliament-lead-negotiator-backs-65-climate-emission-cuts-by-2030/

EEB: Library, 03/05/2020: Response to the proposed EU Climate Law https://eeb.org/library/response-to-the-proposed-eu-climate-law/

Earth.org: Policy & Economics, 18/06/2020: The EU Climate Law: Europe’s Man on the Moon Moment? https://earth.org/eu-climate-law-europes-man-on-the-moon-moment/

Confederation of Finnish Industries: Blog, 02/07/2020: Nordic discussion on the role of business in reaching the objectives of climate action and economic recovery https://ek.fi/en/current/2020/07/02/nordic-discussion-on-the-role-of-business-in-reaching-the-objectives-of-climate-action-and-economic-recovery/#:~:text=In%20a%20joined%20position%20the,commitments%20to%20the%20Paris%20agreement.

LSE: Grantham Institute: Policy Publication, 03/09/2020: The design of an independent expert advisory mechanism under the European Climate Law: What are the options? https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/publication/the-design-of-an-independent-expert-advisory-mechanism-under-the-european-climate-law/

EurActiv, 07/09/2020: A ‘solidarity clause’ in the EU climate law https://www.euractiv.com/section/emissions-trading-scheme/opinion/a-solidarity-clause-in-the-eu-climate-law/

World Wide Fund for Nature: European Office, 09/09/2020: Will MEPs turn ‘climate emergency’ words into a climate law that works? https://www.wwf.eu/?uNewsID=786391

Politico, 10/09/2020: 4 things to know about the EU’s battle to cut emissions https://www.politico.eu/article/4-things-to-know-about-the-eus-battle-to-cut-emissions/

EPRS: At a Glance, September 2020: Framework for achieving climate neutrality https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)652098

Bruegel: Blog, 06/10/2020: The European climate law needs a strong just transition fund https://www.bruegel.org/2020/10/the-european-climate-law-needs-a-strong-just-transition-fund/

IDDRI: Blog, 10/03/2021: The EU Climate Law’s key governance question: why could the EU use a climate watchdog? https://www.iddri.org/en/publications-and-events/blog-post/eu-climate-laws-key-governance-question-why-could-eu-use-climate

Climate Works Foundation: Blog, 05/05/2021: New EU climate law delivers innovative policy framework to advance carbon removal and avoid moral hazard https://www.climateworks.org/blog/innovative-european-union-climate-law/

E3G: Commentary, 10/05/2021: The European Climate Law agreement is about more than new targets https://www.e3g.org/news/the-european-climate-law-agreement-is-about-more-than-new-targets/

EPRS: Briefing, June 2021: European climate law https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)649385

EPRS: At a Glance, June 2021: Adopting the European Climate Law https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)690672

Verfassungsblog, 07/07/2021: The New EU Climate Law. Symbolic Law or New Governance Framework? https://verfassungsblog.de/the-new-eu-climate-law/

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News

EurActiv: Topics: EU Climate Law https://www.euractiv.com/topics/eu-climate-law/

Politico: Tags: European Climate Law https://www.politico.eu/tag/european-climate-law/

The Guardian, 29/11/2019: Proposed EU-wide 'climate law' would set net-zero carbon target by 2050 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/29/first-eu-wide-climate-law-to-set-net-zero-carbon-target-by-2050

EUObserver, 29/01/2020: Timmermans: EU climate law will 'discipline' rogue states https://euobserver.com/environment/147291

Reuters, 02/03/2020: Environment groups say EU's planned climate law means a lost decade https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN20P29E

Associated Press, 03/03/2020: Greens, Thunberg say EU climate law lacks ambition https://apnews.com/42003f357fc99f5865f7365fc1dbcf66

The Guardian, 04/03/2020: Focus on coronavirus shows need for climate law, says EU official https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/04/focus-coronavirus-shows-need-climate-law-says-eu-official-frans-timmermans

The New York Times, 04/03/2020: E.U. Proposes a Climate Law. Greta Thunberg Hears ‘Empty Words.’ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/04/world/europe/eu-climate-law-greta-thunberg.html

Associated Press, 04/03/2020: EU commission unveils climate law amid criticism https://apnews.com/22d55a676a7d49ed11a9ac2d1ad8d208

EurActiv, 04/03/2020: EU’s Timmermans responds to Greta’s criticisms over European Climate Law https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eus-timmermans-responds-to-gretas-criticisms-over-european-climate-law/

BBC News, 04/03/2020: Greta Thunberg brands EU's new climate law 'surrender' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51736134

EUObserver, 04/03/2020: EU climate law slammed for delaying action https://euobserver.com/green-deal/147625

Politico, 04/03/2020: Greta Thunberg rains on EU climate law parade https://www.politico.eu/article/greta-thunberg-rains-on-eu-climate-law-parade/

EurActiv, 05/03/2020: EU’s next top climate model under scrutiny https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eus-next-top-climate-model-under-scrutiny/

Reuters, 08/05/2020: European lawmakers to consider tougher climate law: draft https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN22K10P

EurActiv, 29/05/2020: EU lawmakers debate 65% climate target proposal https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-parliaments-climate-committee-divided-over-65-climate-target/

Reuters, 10/09/2020: EU Parliament's environment committee votes to support 60% EU emissions cut by 2030 https://uk.reuters.com/article/2030-idUKKBN2612F3

EurActiv, 11/09/2020: EU lawmakers up the ante, vote for 60% climate target for 2030 https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-lawmakers-up-the-ante-vote-for-60-climate-target-for-2030/

Reuters, 06/10/2020: European Parliament set for tight vote on 'historic' climate law https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26R1CM

EurActiv, 07/10/2020: EU Parliament votes for 60% carbon emissions cut by 2030 https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-parliament-votes-for-60-carbon-emissions-cut-by-2030/

Bloomberg, 07/10/2020: Carbon Prices Jump After EU Assembly Backs Tougher Climate Goals https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-07/eu-parliament-boosts-pressure-on-stricter-2030-climate-target

The Guardian, 08/10/2020: EU parliament votes for 60% greenhouse gas emissions cut by 2030 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/08/eu-parliament-votes-carbon-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reduction-2030

Reuters, 08/10/2020: European Parliament cements position on climate change before haggling by member states https://www.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN26T0WV

Deutsche Welle, 08/10/2020: European Parliament confirms 2030 climate target to cut emissions https://p.dw.com/p/3jbL3

EurActiv, 16/10/2020: EU leaders to decide tougher climate goal in December https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-leaders-to-decide-tougher-climate-goal-in-december/

Euronews, 19/10/2020: Several countries threatening EU's 2050 carbon neutral goal, says MEP https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/19/several-countries-threatening-eu-s-2050-carbon-neutral-goal-says-mep

EurActiv, 23/10/2020: EU environment ministers strike deal on climate law, leave out 2030 target https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-environment-ministers-strike-deal-on-climate-law-leave-out-2030-target/

EUObserver, 26/10/2020: Ministers back EU-wide 2050 climate goal, not by country https://euobserver.com/environment/149856

Reuters, 06/01/2021: EU's landmark climate law to be finalised within months, Portugal says https://www.reuters.com/article/idUKL4N2JH30P

Reuters, 02/02/2021: EU climate law talks dodge the 'elephant in the room' https://www.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN2A22KM

EUObserver, 04/03/2021: EU capitals water down MEPs' ambition in climate law https://euobserver.com/green-deal/151117

Euronews, 21/04/2021: 'We have a deal': EU to cut emissions by 'at least 55%' by 2030 https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/21/we-have-a-deal-eu-to-cut-emissions-by-at-least-55-by-2030

EurActiv, 21/04/2021: Breakthrough as EU negotiators clinch deal on European climate law https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/breakthrough-as-eu-negotiators-clinch-deal-on-european-climate-law/

Deutsche Welle, 22/04/2021: EU strives to become climate leader with new law https://p.dw.com/p/3sLmv

Dutchnews.nl, 27/04/2021: New cabinet must do more to meet EU climate law, says Timmermans https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/04/new-cabinet-must-do-more-to-meet-eu-climate-law-says-timmermans/

Associated Press, 24/06/2021: EU lawmakers approve deal on climate neutrality by 2050 https://apnews.com/article/europe-climate-climate-change-business-environment-and-nature-f30384a397a820da15cc800f3a1a489e

Reuters, 24/06/2021: Climate 'law of laws' gets European Parliament's green light https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/climate-law-laws-gets-european-parliaments-green-light-2021-06-24/

Euronews, 24/06/2021: European Parliament gives final approval to EU's 2050 climate neutrality target https://www.euronews.com/2021/06/24/european-parliament-gives-final-approval-to-eu-s-2050-climate-neutrality-target

EurActiv, 24/06/2021: Greens join far-right in bid to stop EU climate law https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/greens-join-far-right-in-bid-to-stop-eu-climate-law/

EUObserver, 25/06/2021: MEPs approve EU climate law - without Greens' support https://euobserver.com/climate/152252

Reuters, 28/06/2021: EU countries approve landmark climate change law https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/eu-countries-approve-landmark-climate-change-law-2021-06-28/

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Official

EUR-Lex: COM(2020)80: Proposal for a Regulation establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (European Climate Law) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:80:FIN

EUR-LEX: COM(2020)563: Amended Proposal for a Regulation establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (European Climate Law) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:0563:FIN

European Commission: DG Climate Action: European Climate Law https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/eu-climate-action/law_en

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: Climate change: what the EU is doing https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/climate-change/

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Framework for achieving climate neutrality (2020/0036(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0036(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: European Climate Law Enshrining the 2050 Climate Neutrality Objective https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-european-green-deal/file-european-climate-law

European Commission: High-level public conference on implementing the European Green Deal - the European Climate Law (28 January 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/high-level-public-conference-european-climate-law-2020-jan-28_en

European Commission: Press Release, 04/03/2020: Committing to climate-neutrality by 2050: Commission proposes European Climate Law and consults on the European Climate Pact https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_335

European Commission: Questions and answers on the European Climate Law and Climate Pact (4 March 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_336

European Commission: Press remarks by President von der Leyen on the occasion of the adoption of the European Climate Law (4 March 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_381

European Commission: College read-out on the European Climate Law by Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans (4 March 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/read_20_393

European Parliament: Press Release, 04/03/2020: Greta Thunberg to MEPs: 'we will not allow you to surrender our future' https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200304IPR73905/

S&D Group: Press Release, 10/09/2020: S&Ds: a great first victory today on Climate Law that lets the EU take a step in the direction of carbon neutrality https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/sds-great-first-victory-today-climate-law-lets-eu-take-step-direction-carbon-neutrality

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/09/2020: EU climate law: MEPs want to increase emission reductions target to 60% by 2030 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200907IPR86512/

Greens/EFA Group: Dossier: All About the EU Climate Law https://www.greens-efa.eu/dossier/all-about-the-eu-climate-law/

German Federal Government: FAQs, 29/09/2020: On the way to a European Climate Law https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/faq-eu-climate-action-1792128

European Parliament: Press Release, 08/10/2020: EU climate law: MEPs want to increase 2030 emissions reduction target to 60% https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201002IPR88431/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 23/10/2020: European climate law: Council reaches agreement on large parts of the proposal https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/23/european-climate-law-council-reaches-agreement-on-large-parts-of-the-proposal/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 17/12/2020: Council agrees on full general approach on European climate law proposal https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/12/17/council-agrees-on-full-general-approach-on-european-climate-law-proposal/

Greens/EFA Group: Press Release, 17/03/2021: EU Environment Council and Climate Law - Quote from Bas Eickhout MEP https://www.greens-efa.eu/en/article/press/eu-environment-council-quote-from-bas-eickhout-mep

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 21/04/2021: European climate law: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/21/european-climate-law-council-and-parliament-reach-provisional-agreement/

European Commission: Press Release, 21/04/2021: Commission welcomes provisional agreement on the European Climate Law https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1828

EPP Group: Newsroom, 21/04/2021: Historic agreement on Climate Law: 55 percent net is very ambitious https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/climate-law-55-percent-net-is-very-ambitious

European Parliament: Press Release, 21/04/2021: MEPs reach deal with Council on obligation for EU to be climate neutral by 2050 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210419IPR02302/

GUE/NGL Group: News, 23/06/2021: Left MEPs won’t support hollow Climate Law https://www.guengl.eu/left-meps-wont-support-hollow-climate-law/

European Parliament: Press Release, 24/06/2021: EU Climate Law: MEPs confirm deal on climate neutrality by 2050 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210621IPR06627/

Portuguese Council Presidency: News, 24/06/2021: European Parliament Passes European Climate Law https://www.2021portugal.eu/en/news/european-parliament-passes-european-climate-law/

EPP Group: Newsroom, 24/06/2021: Climate Law: irrational, foolish and absurd if Greens vote with far-right https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/climate-law-absurd-if-greens-vote-with-far-right

S&D Group: Newsroom, 24/06/2021: S&Ds: Today’s historic day. Climate Law is reality. EU will be the first emissions free continent by 2050 https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/sds-todays-historic-day-climate-law-reality-eu-will-be-first-emissions-free-continent-2050

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 28/06/2021: Council adopts European climate law https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/06/28/council-adopts-european-climate-law/

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