This is a substantial increase compared to the existing target upwards from the previous target of at least 40%. However, the analysis accompanying this Communication already indicates that most savings would need to come from buildings. A further step to enhance removals could be to integrate agriculture non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions into the land use, land use change and forestry sector and to create a new regulated sector covering agriculture, forestry and land use. Portal of the Publications Office of the EU. International instruments negotiated or under negotiation in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), such as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA),should promote effective action in this context. 690 0 obj <> endobj The Commission’s Long-term Vision on rural areas to be launched next year will pay specific attention to promoting sustainability for citizens living in remote, rural areas. change of fuel used for electricity generation), and a strong signal for low carbon investments, and thus contributes decisively to the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Horizon Europe, the new research and innovation framework programme, with inter alia a dedicated Climate, Energy and Mobility cluster, will see at least 35% of its funds supporting the achievement of the climate goals. The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent. An EU carbon farming initiative under the Climate Pact will demonstrate and promote such new business models. 16 It also helps to pace and … Today, the Commission sets our continent on a sustainable path to make this a reality and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. . Clean and efficient private and public transport will bring major benefits to individual citizens and communities. Targeted use of these funds can trigger significant private sector investments. PGE. Highlights, press releases and speeches. An ambition increase in the Land use, Land use change and Forestry sector beyond the current requirements needs to be assessed carefully given the diverse situation across Member States. . By setting a higher target for 2030, and thereby increasing its ambition under the Paris Agreement, the EU would set a positive example for the rest of the world of how climate change can be effectively tackled, while pursuing a modern and competitive economy and a prosperous, inclusive and resilient society. If also approved by the European Parliament and Council, this is going to require a significantly higher level … This is related to the system’s coverage of district heating and due to electric heating. Next to extending the use of emissions trading also the revision of Energy Taxation Directive could contribute to putting a price on carbon and reducing emissions. . To achieve climate neutrality, a 90% reduction in overall transport emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels will be one main objective of the forthcoming Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy while addressing recovery of the sector. In addition, the forthcoming Sustainable Product Legislative initiative announced in the Circular Economy Action. What comes next is far from certain. The communication outlines sectoral targets and approaches, as well as the regulatory revisions and new initiatives needed in the climate and energy policy framework. Continuous support for corporate sourcing of renewable energy, and establishing minimum mandatory green public procurement criteria and targets in relation to renewable energy may also be needed. This would benefit from the detailed analysis and elaboration of policies implementing the biodiversity and forestry strategies, which in principle will drive some of the additional actions reducing emissions in the sector. The private sector should play an important role and EU leadership on sustainable finance, in particular through the EU taxonomy as a tool to help investors in the. 1. , consumers should be facilitated to choose sustainable and healthy food and diets. The Commission’s analysis indicates that aggregated final national plans would surpass the renewable energy target at EU level by 1.7 percentage points while underachieving on the energy efficiency target by around 3 percentage points. . This work has to look beyond 2030. Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry presently removes more CO2 by storing it in biomass or in soil carbon than it releases to the atmosphere. In particular, deep renovations addressing building shells, smart digitalisation and the integration of renewable energy together need to increase strongly. The greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 55% achieved through the combination of intensified policies and the extension of the EU ETS is assessed to reach a share of renewables of around 38.5%. Plan will look into widening the Ecodesign approach to other product categories. To achieve this, both the climate legislation as well as the energy policies need to be reviewed to deliver this ambition increase. International cooperation on maritime transport and aviation is desirable. 722 0 obj <>stream According to the Climate Target Plan, investment in the energy system, including transport, needs to increase over the period 2021-2030 by an additional ?350 billion on average each year (compared to 2011-2020) in order to achieve 55% reductions by 2030. If, on the other hand, the scope were to be reduced, and in case of a full transition to an EU ETS covering all fossil fuel combustion emissions, the Regulation would predominantly cover non-CO, emissions. Therefore, the existing regulatory and enabling framework will be further developed in parallel. by using part of the corresponding auction revenues. We must save and create new jobs and incomes not only for months or years but for decades. It will focus on the worst performing buildings and tackle the energy poverty as well as on public buildings, notably schools, hospitals and care facilities. In this context, the European Council invited the Commission to put forward a proposal on a revised emissions trading system, possibly extending it to maritime and reducing the allowances allocated for free to airlines. Presents an EU-wide, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030 compared to 1990 of at least 55% including emissions and removals. Emissions trading can achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions cost‑effectively. Therefore, the Commission is amending its proposal for the first European Climate Law. Global average temperature increased by 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2019. emissions from agriculture and waste. Considering that the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector accounts for between 5 and 9% of global electricity consumption and more than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the EU Digital Strategy. The Commission’s Impact Assessment shows that a 55% cut in emissions achieved through increased use of carbon pricing, while recycling revenues to low income households can address income impacts for these households and at the same time still stimulate a switch to low-carbon technologies. About 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old. Hence, the Commission is looking into the options for setting up an effective carbon border adjustment mechanism, compliant with World Trade Organization rules. In the absence of comparable increases in ambition by our partners, as the EU increases its climate ambition, the Commission will propose a carbon border adjustment mechanism , for selected sectors, to reduce the risk of carbon leakage as a an alternative to measures currently in place to address that same risk .. The Commission will reflect upon these options when coming forward with a legislative proposal to update the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation and the Effort Sharing Regulation next year. The existing energy efficiency requirements and product standards will be reviewed in the first half of 2021. The EU’s position as the world’s largest trading block provides significant opportunities in this respect. Among other initiatives, the EU sustainable finance taxonomy, the EU Green Bond Standard and climate benchmarks will play a crucial role in fostering investment closer to the needs of the real economy for the benefit of the planet and society. In this context, the Commission will present dedicated guidelines in the first quarter of 2021. Many other EU policies have been put in place, or are being reoriented to contribute to the ‘do no harm’ principle and the transition to climate neutrality. This would require a novel policy approach that would (i) set national and sub-sectoral targets and benchmarks, (ii) create flexibility across the EU ensuring cost-effective incentives and mobilise the necessary financial resources, as well as (iii) develop the certification of carbon removals. This is also confirmed by the assessment of Member States’ final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) under the Governance Regulation Not all Member States, sectors and households start the transition towards climate-neutrality from the same point or have the same capacity to respond to the challenges of the transition. Mainstreaming of climate policy objectives into other EU policies is a key enabler and will allow for an inclusive transformation based on a just transition. and the Energy Efficiency Directive The forthcoming Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil will look at how to further address pollution from large industrial installations fully consistent with climate, energy, as well as circular economy policies. h�b```f``������v�A�D�2�, l��-0�3|w�̰8 (�����z��@�G���R�ˁ�Fa&5�� B�4)i��@Zl\�E�10�i4����� ?�!�a��F� �K�+��$�1p3 Published 00:01 on March 31, 2021 / Last updated at 00:53 on April 1, 2021 / EMEA, EU ETS / No Comments The Commission will also assess in the coming months what would be required in practice for this sector to contribute to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and at what point in time internal combustion engines in cars should stop coming to the market. However, over recent years the EU’s sink has come under pressure from increased economic use and the adverse effects of climate change. Its resulting carbon price internalises the climate externalities and gives consumers incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For aviation, the application of the EU ETS is currently suspended in relation to flights to countries outside the European Economic Area to allow for the development of corresponding international instruments. Equally important, enhancing ambition will deliver very important benefits alongside the fight against climate change, like a reduced fossil fuel import bill, higher energy security, reduced air pollution, better health, improved biodiversity, lower dependence on imported raw materials, and less hazards from waste. Similarly, industry may see emissions reductions of up to around 25% by 2030 compared to 2015. announced a commitment to make data centres climate-neutral by 2030, with actions to be put in place in 2021 to 2022. A comprehensive set of notably transport and other sectoral policies also contribute to the achievement of the target. Subsequently, this sector would generate carbon removals to balance remaining emissions in other sectors induced by a robust carbon removal certification system. However, it is clear that, while current energy targets should allow us to surpass our current greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, this would not be sufficient to achieve a 55% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Renovating Europe’s buildings not only lowers energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, but it also improves living conditions and creates local jobs. Promoted content. For both sectors, in accordance with its international commitment to economy-wide action under the Paris Agreement, the EU should continue to regulate at least intra-EU aviation emissions in the EU ETS and include at least intra-EU maritime transport in the EU ETS. The existing framework and recent EU strategies on Energy System Integration, on Hydrogen and on Batteries set important enabling conditions for the uptake of renewable energy carriers. Therefore, the Commission is amending its proposal for the first European Climate Law As set out in the Communication on an EU-wide assessment of National Energy and Climate Plans The Innovation Fund will support the demonstration of breakthrough technologies at commercial scale in the energy and industry sectors. This would benefit from the detailed analysis and elaboration of policies implementing the biodiversity and forestry strategies, which in principle will drive some of the additional actions reducing emissions in the sector. Higher ambition for 2030 will contribute to a more gradual emissions reduction path and a more balanced economic and social transition towards climate neutrality in the next 30 years. The only responsible course of action is therefore to move now when we still have the freedom to choose how, instead of inching forward until it may be too late. At present, a wide range of sectoral tax exemptions and reductions are de facto forms of fossil fuel subsidies, which are not in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. 14 Plans for more stringent passenger car emission rules and the inclusion of emissions from the land use and forestry sector in reaching the target are particularly seen with reservations. It is considering several options as an alternative to the current measures addressing that risk as part of an on-going impact assessment with a view to table a legislative proposal in the first half of 2021. Its role and purpose would be further reduced in case of a move of agriculture non-CO. emissions towards an agriculture and land use sector. by using part of the corresponding auction revenues. The upcoming revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive is a key initiative in this regard. At the same time, the CO, emissions performance standards for cars are the main driver to ensure the supply of modern and innovative clean vehicles, including electric cars. The European Commission's 2030 climate target plan The European Commission is proposing 2030 emissions reduction target from the to raise the current 40 % to at least 55 %, compared with 1990 levels. %PDF-1.6 %���� Other complementary policy actions are needed to ensure that the incentives align and to trigger further investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure or to overcome financing difficulties for low-income households. The Impact Assessment identifies a range of 35.5 % - 36.7 depending on the overall design of policy measures underpinning the new 2030 target. The Climate Target Plan accordingly: presents an EU-wide, economy-wide GHG emissions reduction target of at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030, including emissions and removals; Covering all emissions of fossil fuel combustion and integrating them in the EU ETS would present important benefits in terms of effectiveness and administrative feasibility. At the same time, emissions trading raises revenues that can be re-invested in the economy leading to better overall economic outcomes. 17 Addressing the Climate crisis with increased resolve. This means using the EU’s strategic partnerships, external financing, trade and other cooperation platforms including through the deployment of international environmental standards and promotion of clean technologies through trade. EU action will focus on cost-effective planning and development of renewable energy technologies, eliminating market barriers and providing sufficient incentives for demand for renewable energy, particularly for end-use sectors such as heating and cooling or transport either through electrification or via the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels such as advanced biofuels or other sustainable alternative fuels. This will be the starting point for a smooth pathway for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050. The 2030 Climate target plan 1. To achieve this, it will propose a cut in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50% to 55% for 2030 from 1990 levels, rather than at least 40% currently, including an amendment to the recently proposed European Climate Law. Raising the EU’s ambition of greenhouse gas emissions reductions to 55% by 2030 is feasible and beneficial for the health, prosperity, and wellbeing of our citizens. The Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action establishes an iterative process for close cooperation between the Union and Member States, relying on draft and final NECPs. The Commission has assessed carefully the possibility of reinforcing and expanding emissions trading as a tool to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the EU level. The past five years were the warmest on record. Currently this depends strongly on Member States action but carbon farming and certification of carbon removals should increasingly be deployed in the run up to 2030. An EU carbon farming initiative under the Climate Pact will demonstrate and promote such new business models. There are significant risks for the sink of rising negative impacts from natural hazards such as fires and pests due to a changing climate as well as increasing economic demand for forest biomass, which also negatively affect biodiversity. Many pieces of the regulatory, policy and governance puzzle are yet to be developed; their consequences cannot be taken for granted. Over time, the Commission clearly sees merit in the creation of an Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use sector with its own specific policy framework covering all emissions and removals of these sectors and to become the first sector to deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The impacts of global warming are beyond dispute, with . Glass for Europe is the trade association for Europe's flat glass sector. In road transport, emissions trading has the advantage of capturing fleet emissions under the cap and simultaneously incentivising behavioural change with lasting effects on mobility solutions through the price signal. Such a sector would have the potential to become rapidly climate-neutral by around 2035 in a cost-effective manner, and subsequently generate more removals than greenhouse gas emissions. For aviation, the Commission will propose to reduce the free allocation of allowances, increasing the effectiveness of the carbon price signal in this sector, while taking into account other policy measures such as energy taxation and the ReFuelEU initiatives. Increasing the modal shares of public transport and active mobility, namely walking and cycling, as well as automated, connected and multimodal mobility, combined with more stringent air pollutant and CO. emissions standards for vehicles, will drastically lower pollution from transport, especially in cities. The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to consider this as the EU‘s new contribution to the Paris Agreement. Building on the existing framework and the long-term renovation strategies, other measures will be identified to remove the main barriers to building renovation and reinforce the pull factors for faster and deeper renovations. Its Just Transition Fund (the first pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism) addresses head on the acceleration of the transition in coal, peat, oil shale and carbon-intensive regions. Addressing this includes reviewing and revisiting, as appropriate the biomass sustainability criteria in the Renewable Energy Directive, which are also used in the EU ETS, following the ongoing Commission’s assessment of the EU and global biomass supply and demand and related sustainability. Low-income households bear a higher burden of heating and fuels expenses compared to wealthier households. Unchanged land use practices and further increases in harvesting, in part driven by age class impacts of maturing managed forests, could see the sink potentially further decline to 225 million tons CO. by 2030. See also the Circular Economy Action Plan (COM (2020) 98 final). Increasing the EU’s 2030 climate ambition will also require a strengthened cap of the EU ETS to create the necessary long-term carbon price signal and drive further decarbonisation. All official European Union website addresses are in the europa.eu domain.. See all EU institutions and bodies Such a target would be impossible to meet from technical mitigation options in agriculture and would require a dramatic cessation of much agricultural activity unless other flexibilities were given. emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and so-called F-gases represent almost 20% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. This will depend on the revenue allocation between the EU and national level and on its well-targeted use (e.g. announced a commitment to make data centres climate-neutral by 2030, with actions to be put in place in 2021 to 2022. and vehicle standards have proven to be an effective policy tool. A fuel policy coherent with the overall climate and energy policy will be essential for those sectors with hard to abate emissions, be it to produce biogas and biofuels or hydrogen or e-fuels. and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan point towards increased resource efficiency and the circular economy as indispensable pathways for a modernisation of EU industry contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Ambitious CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans will be needed to ensure a clear pathway towards zero emissions mobility. The Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action establishes an iterative process for close cooperation between the Union and Member States, relying on draft and final NECPs. The Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy with its envisaged legislative and non-legislative initiatives will guide private investments more towards green recovery and sustainable economic activities. 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. Together with fugitive non-CO. emissions in the energy system, they are responsible for just over 75% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. that obliges Member States to ensure that the net carbon sink from land use does not deteriorate compared to how it would have evolved continuing existing land use management practices. We need to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from climate- and environment-related risks and impacts and ensure an inclusive transformation based on a just transition so as to leave no one behind. With the 2030 Climate Target Plan, the Commission proposes to raise the EU's ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. Increased flexibility between the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation and the Effort Sharing Regulation could be a way to strengthen incentives for removals in the land use sector itself. In December 2020, Unilever’s Board announced its intention to put our Climate Transition Action Plan (PDF | 23MB) before shareholders and seek a non-binding, advisory vote on our ambitious emissions reduction targets – zero emissions from our operations by 2030, and net zero across our value chain by 2039 – and our plans to reach them. For road transport, CO2 and vehicle standards have proven to be an effective policy tool. On average, including all extra EU navigation and aviation emissions, i.e. To make removals happen in practice, individual farmers or forest managers need to be directly incentivised to store more carbon on their land and their forests. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has proven to be an effective tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 2030 Climate target plan. The EU has a comprehensive framework for a wide range of energy efficiency measures across different sectors, . The 2030 Climate Target Plan marks the beginning of an era of radical regulation. Calculated according to the methodology as set out in Directive 2018/2001/EC. The Biodiversity Strategy, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the forthcoming Forest Strategy, EU Nature Restoration Plan and the new Adaptation Strategy will all put strong policies in place to protect and enhance the natural sink and resilience of the EU’s forests to climate change, restore degraded land and ecosystems, rewet wetlands and promote the bio-economy, including the use of durable harvested wood products, in full respect of ecological principles fostering biodiversity. The Impact Assessment already estimates that, at first sight, a significant amount of free allocation would still be available, even with the necessary strengthening of the cap. This sink needs to be maintained and even enhanced to balance any remaining emissions in the economy with carbon dioxide removals and to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050. Use quotation marks to search for an "exact phrase". Green groups describe it as an "accounting trick". The 2030 Climate Target Plan marks a significant step forward in the EU’s ambition, with the expansion of the ETS to all fossil fuel use expected to complement targeted actions in the buildings, transport and land use sectors.