European Green Deal

Released by

European Commission

Scope

European Scope

In 1 sentence

A strategy to achieve climate neutrality, sustainable economy, and environmental protection across Europe.

Summary

The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a climate-neutral continent by 2050, with a target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It includes significant investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, focusing on sustainable economic growth, environmental protection, and the resilience of food systems while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Link

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en

Published year

2019

A European Green Deal

Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:

no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050
economic growth decoupled from resource use
no person and no place left behind

The European Green Deal is also our lifeline out of the COVID-19 pandemic. One third of the €1.8 trillion investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, and the EU’s seven-year budget will finance the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has adopted a set of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. More information on Delivering the European Green Deal.

Featured initiatives

REPowerEU

The Green Deal Industrial Plan

EU action to address energy crisis

Highlight

A more sustainable use of plant and soil natural resources

5 July 2023 - The Commission adopted a package of measures for a sustainable use of key natural resources, which will also strengthen the resilience of European food systems and farming. The package includes a new soil law, which will help have healthy soils in the EU by 2050, a regulation on plants produced by genome techniques, and measures to reduce food and textile waste. Its adoption completes the previous proposals under the ‘natural resources' pillar of the European Green Deal.

Read more

Key figures

The first climate-neutral continent

by 2050

At least 55% less

net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels

3 billion

additional trees to be planted in the EU by 2030

The benefits of the European Green Deal

The European Green Deal will improve the well-being and health of citizens and future generations by providing:

fresh air, clean water, healthy soil and biodiversity
renovated, energy efficient buildings
healthy and affordable food
more public transport
cleaner energy and cutting-edge clean technological innovation
longer lasting products that can be repaired, recycled and re-used
future-proof jobs and skills training for the transition
globally competitive and resilient industry

What we are working on

Climate

Becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050

Energy

A clean and efficient energy transition

Environment and oceans

Protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems

Agriculture

A healthy food system for people and the planet

Transport

Providing efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport

Industry

An industrial strategy for a competitive, green and digital Europe

Research and innovation

Its role in driving transformative change

Finance and regional development

Sustainable investments to deliver the European Green Deal

New European Bauhaus

A creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences

On the path to climate neutrality

Fit for 55 achievements tracker

Timeline 1. 26 April 2023 The European Parliament and the Council reach a political agreement on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal 2. 25 April 2023 'Fit for 55': Council adopts key pieces of legislation delivering on 2030 climate targets 3. 25 April 2023 EU Energy Platform: Commission launches first call for companies to jointly buy gas 4. 21 April 2023 The Commission proposes to revise the existing marketing standards of agri-food products 5. Show 54 more items 6. 11 December 2019 Presentation of the European Green Deal