The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners.
It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put in place the key laws and measures to achieve its climate and energy targets for 2030.
By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.
Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from ambitiously cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment .
First climate action initiatives under the Green Deal include:
Based on a comprehensive impact assessment and analysis of the national energy and climate plans, the Commission will also propose a new EU ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
By June 2021, the European Commission will also review and, where necessary, propose to revise all relevant policy instruments to deliver additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
It will adopt a new, more ambitious EU strategy on adaptation to climate change in order to strengthen efforts on climate-proofing, resilience building, prevention and preparedness, ensuring that businesses, cities and citizens are able to integrate climate change into their risk management practices.
At international level, the EU will continue to lead international negotiations to increase the ambition of major emitters ahead of the 2020 United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow.
The EU is actively working with other countries and regions to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The EU is also a top provider of international climate finance to support developing countries in their efforts to tackle climate change.
Fighting climate change and achieving the transition to a climate-neutral society will require significant investments, research and innovation, new ways of producing and consuming, and changes in the way we work, use transport and live together.