European Climate Law

Country / jurisdiction: European Union · Year: 2021 · Status: In force · Level: International · Type: Voluntary

The Commission has proposed an initiative to enshrine the EU's climate neutral objectives through a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.   In April 2021, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the Climate Law Regulation. he Commission will also review and revise relevant policy instruments to reach emissions reductions targets for 2030.

The European Climate Law will set up a framework to achieve climate neutrality in 2050 thanks to:

- legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

- new 2030 EU greenhouse gas emission reductions target of 55% compared to levels in 1990

- 2030-2050 EU-wide trajectory for greenhouse gas emission reductions

- implementation of adaption strategies to improve resilience to climate change effects

- tracking progress made by member states and adjusting the measures (based on National energy and climate plans, reports from the European Environment Agency and other tools)

- reviewing progress made by September 2023, and every 5 years thereafter

- empowering the Commission to issue recommendations to Member States, whose actions are inconsistent with the climate neutrality target.

The European Climate Law was formally adopted by the EU Council, 28 June 2021, ending the adoption procedure and setting into legislation the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050. The political agreement with the EU Parliament was reached on 21 April, adn the Parliament's adoption of its position adopted 24 June 2021.

The EU's Fit for 55 Package which was shared in July 2021, also includes a set of proposals to revise and update the EU legislation to put inplace the new initiatives outlined under the EU Climate Law.

Official source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A12012E192