The EU Green Deal is a strategic roadmap for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050.
In November 2019, the European Parliament declared a climate and environmental emergency in Europe and globally, and they determined to make Europe the first climate neutral continent in the world.
To reach this goal, the EU pledged to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and to set a long-term strategy to achieve the objective or zero net emissions by 2050. The EU is also working on achieving a circular economy by 2050, creating a sustainable food system and protecting biodiversity.
Europe and the world are facing the problem of climate change and environmental degradation. Average global temperatures have risen significantly and the last decade was the warmest decade on record. The average global temperature is today 0.95º to 1.20º higher than at the end of the 19th century.
Scientists consider that an increase of 2º compared to pre-industrialised levels is the threshold for having dangerous and catastrophic consequences for climate and the environment. This is why the international community agrees that global warming needs to stay well below a 2°C increase.
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
Objectives
The objectives of the Green Deal are:
- Achieve a climate neutral EU by 2050
- Protect human life, animals and plants by reducing pollution
- Contribute to guaranteeing a just and inclusive transition
- Development of clean, reliable and affordable energies, and development of the financing of the transition
- Transformation of agriculture and rural areas.
Actions
This sustainable roadmap includes different types of actions for each sector of the economy.
Industry
The European Green Deal is the EU’s new growth strategy to achieve a competitive, green, digital Europe with a resource-efficient economy.
The main goal is to harness the significant potential in global markets for low-emission technologies, sustainable products and services in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, achieving a climate neutral and circular economy requires the full mobilisation of industry. All industrial value chains, including energy-intensive sectors, will have a key role to play.
Transport
The EU Green Deal proposes a sustainable mobility that promotes the use of cleaner, more efficient, safe and healthier public and private transport.
The goal is to reduce emissions from cars, trains, ships and planes, as transport accounts for the 25% of EU emissions, so it requires ambitious changes in transport. A clear path is needed to achieve a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, so financial aid for fossil fuels will be ended, and the investment will go for the development of alternatives.
Research and innovation
Research and innovation will play a central role in accelerating and navigating the necessary transitions, deploying, demonstrating and de-risking solutions, and engaging citizens in social innovation.
Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme (2021-2027), is set to drive the necessary systemic changes to reach climate neutrality and ensure an inclusive ecological and economic transition.
Finance and regional development
To achieve the goals set by the European Green Deal, the Commission has pledged to mobilise at least €1 trillion in sustainable investments over the next decade, thus investing in a green future.
The Commission has put in place the European Green Deal Investment Plan (EGDIP), also referred to as Sustainable Europe Investment Plan (SEIP), as part of the Green Deal, focused on ensuring a fair and just transition to a green economy.
Agriculture
The EU Green Deal growth strategy is designed to boost the economy, improve people’s health and quality of life, and care for nature.
The objectives are to ensure a sustainable and healthy food system, to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system, to strengthen the EU food system’s resilience and to lead a global transition towards competitive sustainability from farm to fork.
Environment and oceans
The EU Green Deal promotes measures to preserve and protect Europe’s seas, oceans and environment.
The priorities include protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems, reducing air, water and soil pollution, moving towards a circular economy, improving waste management, and ensuring the sustainability of our blue economy and fisheries sectors.
By working on these key areas, the EU will improve the health and quality of life of citizens, address environmental problems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate
In order to achieve the decarbonisation objectives, emissions must be reduced in all sectors, from industry and energy, to transport and farming. The EU has to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures to fight climate change.
Energy
The production and use of energy accounts for more than 75% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, so the objective is to decarbonize this sector and prioritize the use of clean and renewable energies thanks to the modernization of infrastructures and the promotion of energy efficiency.
The European Green Deal focuses on 3 key principles for the clean energy transition, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the quality of life of our citizens:
- ensuring a secure and affordable EU energy supply
- developing a fully integrated, interconnected and digitalised EU energy market
- prioritising energy efficiency, improving the energy performance of our buildings and developing a power sector based largely on renewable sources
Fighting climate change with GlobalTrust’s help
For businesses, organisations and governments, the EU Green Deal implies taking measures to fight climate change and to help reach the zero net emissions objective set in this plan.
Mitigation measures
- to improve energy efficiency and move to renewable energies
- to promote public transport and sustainable mobility
- to promote industry, agriculture, fishing and organic farming, and responsible consumption
- to tax the use of certain fuels through green taxes
Adaptation measures
- Build safer and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure
- Replant forests and restore damaged ecosystems
- Diversify crops so that they are better adapted to more changing climates
- Search for innovative solutions for the prevention and management of natural disasters.
GlobalTrust can help your organisation identify and monitor what you need to make sure you set all these measures into your sustainable business strategy.
Contact us to know more! You can reach us at info@globaltrustgrp.com, and also check our website at http://globaltrustgrp.com.