🔎 What’s going on?
The EU has announced huge policy plans for re-directing Europe’s economies to reach net-zero global emissions by 2050. This comprehensive plan is collectively called the European green deal.
✌ Awesome, let’s break it down...
Announced by the EU’s new commission president, Ursula von der Leyen - this green deal will touch every sector of the economy, from legal to agriculture to trade and transport. Here are the key points:
- Climate law - legally require every member state country to reach net-zero by 2050. This will include revising the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction targets from 40% to 55% before the next UNFCC’s climate meeting.
- International Trade - the EU will make trade deals only with other countries that stick to their climate targets. A ‘carbon border tax’ will apply to non-EU companies exporting goods made with fossil fuels.
- Industrial production - a plan for a circular economy (i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle materials) across cement, steel, textiles, electronics, plastics sectors.
- Agriculture - significantly reduce chemical pesticides, fertilisers and antibiotics in order to improve the sustainability of the food production and distribution system.
- Biodiversity & Ecosystems - aim for zero air, soil and water pollution while increasing forests to address the loss of biodiversity.
- Transport - introduce cleaner fuels (i.e. hydrogen and biofuels) for aeroplanes and ships, deploying millions of electric charging points across Europe, promoting trains using renewable energy whilst introducing taxation and road pricing to discourage those that don't comply.
- Building renovation - a flagship housing renovation programme will aim to make buildings energy efficient which will include replacing old heating systems and ensuring every house is insulated.
- Finance - a plan to raise a €100bn ‘just transition fund’ from public and private sources to help with the transition and to leave no one behind.
- Energy - phase out coal and increase renewable energy whilst ensuring affordability for consumers.
- Research and Development - 35% of the EU’s research €100bn fund will be directed towards climate-friendly technologies.
❓Why should I care?
On July 29th 2019, we had already used up all renewable natural resources (i.e. fish and forests) for 2019 - it’s often called Earth Overshoot Day. Meaning from July 30th, we have been consuming more than what our planet can renew every year. Although the 2015 Paris Agreement is a huge international achievement - concrete policy plans have not yet emerged from every country on how they will reach their climate targets. This is now changing with the EU’s announcement.
🚦Where do we need to be?
- Higher ambition by 2030 on emission reductions from every EU member state
- Less emphasis on ‘continued economic growth’ until we are operating within our planetary boundaries.
- Each policy announced above is actually implemented with clear timelines and action plan - this is just an announcement...
👤 What can I do about it?
If you are an EU citizen - in March 2020, watch out for a European Climate Pact which will give citizens a voice and a role in shaping parts of the green deal.