Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition. Investing in a climate-neutral future for the benefit of our people

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 17 September 2020, revising the European Union's ambition concerning targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This became known as the new 2030 Climate Target Plan.

Further information:

A new target is put forward by the European Commission, which is based on a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts. The Assessment demonstrates that this course of action is realistic and feasible. This raised ambition also underlines the EU's continued global leadership, ahead of a forthcoming UN climate conference.

This Communication:

• Presents an EU-wide, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030 (compared to 1990) of at least 55% including emissions and removals;
• Previews a set of actions required across all sectors of the economy and the launch of revisions of the key legislative instruments to achieve this increased ambition;
• Prepares the ground for a public debate later in the year to increase the EU's contribution to the Paris Agreement and set the stage for the Commission to make detailed legislative proposals by the following year.

This revision prompted the adoption of an amended proposal for the so-called European Climate Law. The announcement was first spelled out during the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Bruegel: Blog, 16/09/2020: Unpacking President von der Leyen’s new climate plan https://www.bruegel.org/2020/09/unpacking-president-von-der-leyens-new-climate-plan/

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News

Deutsche Welle, 16/09/2020: Net-zero emissions 'mission possible' by 2050, says industrial think tank https://p.dw.com/p/3iXz2

EurActiv, 16/09/2020: ‘We can do it!’: EU chief announces 55% emissions reduction target for 2030 https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/we-can-do-it-eu-chief-announces-55-emissions-reduction-target-for-2030/

Reuters, 16/09/2020: EU executive wants tougher 2030 climate goals and billions in green bonds https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN26716O

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Official

EUR-Lex: SWD(2020)176: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - Impact Assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:176:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2020)177: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:177:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2020)178: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - Synopsis report on the results of the 2030 Climate Target Plan consultation activities https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:178:FIN

European Commission: DG Climate Action: 2030 Climate Target Plan https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/eu-climate-action/2030_ctp_en

European Commission: Press Release, 17/09/2020: State of the Union: Commission raises climate ambition and proposes 55% cut in emissions by 2030 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1599

European Commission: Q&A, 17/09/2020: State of the Union: Questions & Answers on the 2030 Climate Target Plan https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1598

European Commission: Opening remarks by EVP Timmermans and Commissioner Simson at the press conference on the 2030 climate target plan https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1692

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