European Climate Law

2020/0036(COD)

PURPOSE: to amend the Commission's initial proposal of 4 March 2020 establishing the necessary framework for the EU to achieve climate neutrality (European Climate Law) to include a new specific EU target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

BACKGROUND: the proposal for a ‘European Climate Law’ aims to enshrine the EU 2050 climate-neutrality objective in legislation, enhancing certainty and confidence on the EU’s commitment as well as transparency and accountability.

The original proposal stated that the Commission would present by September 2020 an impact assessed plan to increase the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 to at least 50% and towards 55% compared with 1990 levels in a responsible way, and that the Commission would propose to amend the proposal accordingly.

The 2030 Climate Target Plan demonstrates that increasing the EU’s emission reduction target for 2030 to at least 55% is both feasible and beneficial.

CONTENT: with a view to achieving climate neutrality in the Union by 2050, it is proposed that the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 is increased to at least 55% compared with 1990 levels, including emissions and removals.

By 30 June 2021 at the latest, the Commission shall review the Union's legislation with a view to making it possible to achieve this specific objective and the climate-neutrality objective and consider taking the necessary measures, including the adoption of legislative proposals.