Roadmap published for Delivering the EU Green Deal
The European Commission has released a comprehensive roadmap outlining how the EU economy can transition towards a more sustainable future. The document is titled Delivering the European Green Deal.
The goal is to make Europe the first climate neutral continent in the world. For this to be achieved, the roadmap contains a set of proposals to ensure all sectors of the EU’s economy can meet this goal.
The proposals have been designed to ensure targets are met by 2030 in a fair, cost-effective and competitive way. Seven key proposals are outlined in the roadmap:
- Transforming our economy and societies
In this objective, the European Commission pledges to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. With this goal, it is hoped that this will lead to new opportunities for innovation, investment and jobs.
- Making transport sustainable for all
Several goals have been selected to reduce the carbon emissions of new cars and vans. The European Commission aims to reduce emissions from cars and vans by 55% and 50% respectively by 2030. In 2035, the goal is to have zero emissions from new cars.
- Leading the third industrial revolution
This proposal concerns value chains in sectors, such as energy and transport, construction, and renovation. If these industries transition towards sustainability, 35 million buildings could be renovated by 2030, as well as 160,000 new green jobs in the construction sector.
- Cleaning our energy system
The European Commission pledges to increase the binding target of renewable energy source in the EU’s energy mix to 40%. In addition, new energy efficiency targets have been set for final and primary energy consumption, reducing them by 36-39%.
- Renovating buildings for greener lifestyles
This proposal involves the new Social Climate Fund, supporting EU citizens who are most affected or at risk of energy or mobility poverty to ensure that the transition towards sustainability is fair for all.
- Working with nature to protect our planet and health
Nature and biodiversity are at the centre of this objective. The European Commission aims to restore Europe’s forests, soils, wetlands, and peatlands, thereby restoring our environment and increasing its resilience to climate change. This objective is in line with strategies created for biodiversity, such as the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030.
- Boosting global climate action
To ensure these targets are met, the European Commission has dedicated this proposal to the important of international collaboration. In November 2021, the EU plans to share the goals and ideas raised in this roadmap with international partners at the UN’s COP26 Climate Change Conference.
Read more about the Delivering the European Green Deal roadmap here.
