Green Deal is Europe’s growth strategy towards a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, which aims to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The Green Deal is an integral part of this Commission’s strategy to implement the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals.
The European Green Deal provides an action plan to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy, restore biodiversity and cut pollution. Back in November 2019, the European Commission announced several initiatives covering a number of interlinked and transformative policy areas, including climate, the environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and sustainable finance. In September 2020, the Commission included a revised EU emission reduction target of at least 55%, in relation to 1990, by 2030, and carbon-neutrality by 2050.
EU leaders called on the EU Council and Parliament to reflect this new target in the European climate law proposal and to adopt the latter swiftly. The proposals that the Council has adopted so far are the following:
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
The Commission adopted its proposal on the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in May 2020. The objective of the strategy is to put Europe’s biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 bringing benefits for people, the climate and the planet. The proposed actions under the strategy include strengthening protected areas in Europe, and restoring degraded ecosystems by increasing organic farming, reducing the use and risk of pesticides and planting trees
‘Farm to fork’ strategy
Contributing to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the ‘farm to fork’ strategy intends to make European food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly, from production to consumption. The strategy sets out both regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives, with the common agricultural and fisheries policies as key tools to support a just transition.
European industrial strategy
The European Commission published its new industrial strategy in March 2020. The EU relies on Europe’s industry to lead the transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership. The strategy is focussed on three main drivers: green transition, global competitiveness and digital transition. The aim is for EU industry to become an accelerator and enabler of change, innovation and growth.
Just transition mechanism
The EU has introduced a just transition mechanism to provide financial and technical support to the regions most affected by the move towards the low-carbon economy. It will help mobilise at least €100 billion over the period 2021-2027 for:
- people and communities: facilitating employment opportunities and reskilling, improving energy-efficient housing and fighting energy poverty
- companies: making the transition to low-carbon technology attractive to investment, providing financial support and investing in research and innovation
- member states or regions: investing in new green jobs, sustainable public transport, digital connectivity and clean energy infrastructure.
More policy proposals are planned for 2021 according to the European Green Deal roadmap.