Strong synergies and trade-offs with biodiversity aspects exist. 30 The EU budget together with the Next Generation EU package can be a strong driver for transformation and leverage sustainable private and public investment, if resources are well-deployed. The existing energy efficiency requirements and product standards will be reviewed in the first half of 2021. This process should pave the way for their subsequent rapid adoption, and leave sufficient lead-time for all actors to achieve the increased 2030 climate and energy ambition. Without underestimating the challenge of mobilising significant additional investments in the coming decade and promoting a just transition, it offers the opportunity for sustainable growth, and, in the context of the COVID-19 recovery, an opportunity for durable investments that can kick-start the EU economy. The 2030 Climate Target Plan marks the beginning of an era of radical regulation. Sectoral ambitions will be set in light of the 55% economy wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Furthermore as the EU is increasing its climate ambition, the Commission is working on introducing a carbon border adjustment mechanism in certain sectors to address the risk of carbon leakage. Introducing emissions trading for a significant share of the existing Effort Sharing Regulation sectors and eventually folding agricultural non-CO2 emissions into the land use sector would have consequences for this Regulation. The climate target plan proposes to increase the 2030 target from a 40 % emissions reduction to a 55 % net emissions reduction, compared with 1990 levels. The forthcoming Renovation Wave will therefore launch a set of actions to increase the depth and the rate of renovations at single building and at district level, switch fuels towards renewable heating solutions, diffuse the most efficient products and appliances, uptake smart systems and building-related infrastructure for charging e-vehicles, and improve the building envelope (insulation and windows). As the existing EU ETS has shown, the development of a new market requires setting up functioning monitoring, reporting and verification and can benefit from transitional arrangements or a pilot period before being gradually integrated into the existing system. The initiative will also assess: While it expanded in the two decades from 1990 to 2010 from a net sink of around 250 million CO, it has seen significant losses over the last five years. the assumed scope as reported in the greenhouse gas inventory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as memo item, in the EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction target would require additional reductions of up to 3 percentage points by 2030 compared to 1990 in other sectors to achieve the overall EU reduction target. Covering all emissions of fossil fuel combustion and integrating them in the EU ETS would present important benefits in terms of effectiveness and administrative feasibility. . Overall, higher ambition by 2030 and the transition to climate neutrality and recovery from the COVID-19 crisis will be both a challenging task and an opportunity to build a better future for all. The Impact Assessment shows that energy efficiency improvements will need to be significantly stepped up to around 36% in terms of final energy consumption Actions of this kind will need to be intensified. This will be the starting point for a smooth pathway for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050. The impacts of global warming are beyond dispute, with droughts, storms, and other weather extremes on the rise. 15 It is a key strategic document on our green recovery from COVID-19. Paired with intensified renewables and energy efficiency policies, it will cut energy costs for households and companies, and provided that social impacts are addressed help alleviate energy poverty and contribute to growth and jobs. A fuel policy coherent with the overall climate and energy policy will be essential for those sectors with hard to abate emissions, be it to produce biogas and biofuels or hydrogen or e-fuels. , consumers should be facilitated to choose sustainable and healthy food and diets. This underlines the risks for the magnitude of the sink, which is of crucial importance to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Raising the EU ambition from the current level to 55% within the next ten years will double the ambition of the EU’s nationally determined contribution and set the stage for the upcoming UN climate change negotiations in 2021, thereby reinforcing the EU’s global leadership position. Emissions from stationary sources declined by 33% between 2005 and 2018. Directive (EU) 2018/410 amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Directive 2010/31/EU and amendement 2018/844/EU, Including intra EU aviation and navigation, Including intra EU and extra EU aviation, not including maritime navigation. Global average temperature increased by 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2019. This sink needs to be maintained and even enhanced to balance any remaining emissions in the economy with carbon dioxide removals and to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050. New and upgraded skills will be needed underlining the need to keep investing in lifelong learning using all possible instruments and ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce. that obliges Member States to ensure that the net carbon sink from land use does not deteriorate compared to how it would have evolved continuing existing land use management practices. D��L�h����A$#X�[;�������������d�?��w� =G Action in these sectors is urgently needed, including as they recover from the current crisis. This underlines that any expansion of emissions trading will need to address distributional impacts, e.g. An EU carbon farming initiative under the Climate Pact will demonstrate and promote such new business models. The Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy with its envisaged legislative and non-legislative initiatives will guide private investments more towards green recovery and sustainable economic activities. Its role and purpose would be further reduced in case of a move of agriculture non-CO2 emissions towards an agriculture and land use sector. Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry presently removes more CO2 by storing it in biomass or in soil carbon than it releases to the atmosphere. The Commission will reflect upon these options when coming forward with a legislative proposal to update the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation and the Effort Sharing Regulation next year. This is also confirmed by the assessment of Member States’ final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) under the Governance Regulation, . It covers the activities of both the forestry and agriculture sectors. The existing framework and recent EU strategies on Energy System Integration, on Hydrogen and on Batteries set important enabling conditions for the uptake of renewable energy carriers. The 2030 Climate Target Plan marks a significant step forward in the EU’s ambition, with the expansion of the ETS to all fossil fuel use expected to complement targeted actions in the buildings, transport and land use sectors. The objective is to contribute appropriately to the world’s efforts to deliver on the Paris Agreement reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention … . Therefore, the Commission is amending its proposal for the first European Climate Law The Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) In the 2021 Commission work programme, the numerous … Alongside the sustainable alternative fuels initiatives for these sectors, ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime, the Commission will propose an updated methodology to promote, in accordance with their greenhouse gas performance, the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the transport sector set out in the Renewable Energy Directive. In addition, a comprehensive terminology for all renewable and low-carbon fuels and a European system of certification of such fuels, based notably on full life cycle greenhouse gas emissions savings and sustainability criteria, and existing provisions for instance in the Renewable Energy Directive would support the further development of renewables. Both the European Industrial Strategy Increasing the modal shares of public transport and active mobility, namely walking and cycling, as well as automated, connected and multimodal mobility, combined with more stringent air pollutant and CO. emissions standards for vehicles, will drastically lower pollution from transport, especially in cities. Reversing the current trend requires significant short-term action due to long lead times, especially in forestry. Such a target would be impossible to meet from technical mitigation options in agriculture and would require a dramatic cessation of much agricultural activity unless other flexibilities were given. An EU carbon farming initiative under the Climate Pact will demonstrate and promote such new business models. The Renovation Wave will address the necessary elements to achieve and sustain higher renovation rates, including regulatory strengthening. This includes improved and enforced forest protection and more sustainable forest management as well as sustainable re- and afforestation and improved soil management including through the restoration of wetlands, peatlands and degraded land in line with the Biodiversity Strategy, and contributing to its aims. A further step to enhance removals could be to integrate agriculture non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions into the land use, land use change and forestry sector and to create a new regulated sector covering agriculture, forestry and land use. Recent IPCC special reports found greater risks at lower temperatures of Earth system tipping points than in its 5. assessment report, such as a slowdown of the Gulf Stream or instability of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. For instance, EU product efficiency standards have already reduced energy needs for the products in question by about 15% and cut total EU greenhouse gas emissions by 7% while creating hundreds of thousands additional jobs. Report on Ecodesign Impact Accounting, forthcoming. The EU’s position as the world’s largest trading block provides significant opportunities in this respect. Regions, cities and towns are key centres of transformative and sustainable solutions that lead the way forward through movements such as the Covenant of Mayors. Emissions trading can achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions cost‑effectively. 722 0 obj <>stream For aviation, the Commission will propose to reduce the free allocation of allowances, increasing the effectiveness of the carbon price signal in this sector, while taking into account other policy measures such as energy taxation and the ReFuelEU initiatives. 13 EU’s 2030 climate target plan may have overestimated transition costs -report. Continuous support for corporate sourcing of renewable energy, and establishing minimum mandatory green public procurement criteria and targets in relation to renewable energy may also be needed. We must … With the 2030 Climate Target Plan, the Commission proposes to raise the EU's ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. Many homes are still heated with outdated systems that use polluting fossil fuels such as coal and oil. 24 The CAP strategic plans to be developed by Member States are a key opportunity to direct more resources to reduce emissions in the agriculture sector in a durable manner, while enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability and resilience of the sector. Its resulting carbon price internalises the climate externalities and gives consumers incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 23. The Commission will look into capacity building schemes to implement citizen-driven renewable energy communities financed by the EU and self-consumption models enabling higher consumer uptake and faster development of decentralised renewable energy technologies. Next to extending the use of emissions trading also the revision of Energy Taxation Directive could contribute to putting a price on carbon and reducing emissions. This will depend on the revenue allocation between the EU and national level and on its well-targeted use (e.g. Industry must lead change as Europe embarks on its transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, while leveraging the impact of its single market to set global standards. However, it is clear that, while current energy targets should allow us to surpass our current greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, this would not be sufficient to achieve a 55% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. , which sets up a cap and trade system for large industrial and power sector installations and the aviation sector to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2005; , with binding greenhouse gas emissions pathways at Member State level for the remaining emissions, adding up to a reduction of 30% by 2030 compared to 2005; the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation. The EU aims to become climate-neutral (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. Therefore these initiatives will identify the precise policy options available as well as the exact level of new targets. Already now, the EU ETS directly or indirectly covers around 30% of buildings emissions from heating The Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), and the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, capture these targets in legislation, supported through sectoral legislation such as the Ecodesign directive, and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. 2030 Climate Target Plan — EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics The European Commission presented on 17 September its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. However, over recent years the EU’s sink has come under pressure from increased economic use and the adverse effects of climate change. Together with fugitive non-CO. emissions in the energy system, they are responsible for just over 75% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the CO2 emissions performance standards for cars are the main driver to ensure the supply of modern and innovative clean vehicles, including electric cars. An ambition increase in the Land use, Land use change and Forestry sector beyond the current requirements needs to be assessed carefully given the diverse situation across Member States. This means using the EU’s strategic partnerships, external financing, trade and other cooperation platforms including through the deployment of international environmental standards and promotion of clean technologies through trade. Mainstreaming of climate action across all policies. To achieve climate neutrality, a 90% reduction in overall transport emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels will be one main objective of the forthcoming Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy while addressing recovery of the sector. A reinforced and expanded use of emissions trading at EU level, energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, instruments supporting sustainable mobility and transport, circular economy, environmental, agricultural, financial, research and innovation, and industrial policies will all have important roles in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal in general and an increased climate target for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 in particular. h޴UmO�H���c+D�}�-UHIx���B�8>,�&�ձSۡ�_�Y�%���W�dY��}�ew�GB2�"��5$4�5 �D��IcIF,�ɘ �-&�%�䄔��In��QDϘ�L'U'E+m��g;�mp�W8���qۨ޾E�hĦ.���e��x�qr�휜�����r�1��3As������]}0�]�1v�]�l�vv�����I��p�潼J�w��ԗ>��J �_�7iN��(�;���ի�>�Yb$ny��ټ��k���ՆTK7��W�_V�,�җ�܂V��'��*j_���c�(��O�vU�����~9��}ZLPe���/�K���������֣J�P�[�i�D�p\dEN�Eڮ\��`{��q�wx*Np�8����\���� Ƙ�ba�9R���Ȱ@������Qc�[|��� 7�lOڞ��p�q��o?��_c׷�- �~�fS�E^����ն0Q�DŽ�6����w�4�5$on�N��u�N3O�uh�Fs�����?��Z4����l�Q�1�K_��?1�.�2k�qT�,�B�Ǩ���m�hȿL�5��S�:�m /���i I��Ӳ�Cg1j�M� ��� "��n�J�G���S�'�٤����zZ��݌ �tX%�Y�D�$ ���]�#��m�V̈_{egû'R��hziYk)��k"��4�$�*a*jr�$��~���� 3Jv2&+��lu���dmh-����)�&�c��N���Ɛ'lR�9�L�0RY�w��4v�既!�˔�F�OAg��iOST-�pK*y�g��^�5�v�%��ǃIp�M&j�5��4�Q*�G�P���zԥٚN�;�f�N�����V��?$2"�$ѓ�/��G���P�I!�<0��3MB�I�. By June 2021, the Commission will therefore revisit and strengthen the CO2 standards for cars and vans for 2030. Both mitigation and adaptation will in turn benefit from the EU Space programmes such as Copernicus with ever improving monitoring capabilities. capture these targets in legislation, supported through sectoral legislation such as the Ecodesign directive Already now, the EU ETS directly or indirectly covers around 30% of buildings emissions from heating. Therefore, the Commission is amending its proposal for the first European Climate Law. To achieve this, both the climate legislation as well as the energy policies need to be reviewed to deliver this ambition increase. The Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation currently requires EU Member States to maintain their natural carbon sink according to existing land use practices. As an advanced economy, with a proven track record in successful implementation of ambitious climate policy, the EU has the possibility – as well as the moral obligation – to influence global greenhouse gas emissions trends and increase resource efficiency, within and beyond the international climate negotiations. Britain still has not set out a plan on how will meet its climate target of net zero emissions by 2050, almost two years after setting the goal in law, a parliamentary watchdog said on Friday. The past five years were the warmest on record. Use quotation marks to search for an "exact phrase". %PDF-1.6 %���� The private sector should play an important role and EU leadership on sustainable finance, in particular through the EU taxonomy as a tool to help investors in the transition to a low-carbon, resilient and resource-efficient economy as well as through the International Platform on Sustainable Finance with our international partners will be instrumental. This would require a novel policy approach that would (i) set national and sub-sectoral targets and benchmarks, (ii) create flexibility across the EU ensuring cost-effective incentives and mobilise the necessary financial resources, as well as (iii) develop the certification of carbon removals. DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this column reflect the views of the author(s), not of EURACTIV Media network. New buildings today consume only half as much as typical buildings from the 1980s. . This update to Scotland's 2018-2032 Climate Change Plan sets out the Scottish Government's pathway to our new and ambitious targets set by the Climate Change Act 2019. A holistic approach to large-scale and local infrastructure planning, protecting and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructures is needed and will guide the forthcoming revisions of the TEN-E and TEN-T regulations, and of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation The possibility of establishing mandatory requirements for the worst performing buildings and gradually tightening the minimum energy performance requirements will also considered as a means to ensure a suitable minimum pace for the improvement of the building stock. Certain carbon-intensive sectors and regions with a significant share of their economies depending on these will see substantial transformations. The Commission will give consideration to different options in light of an expansion of emissions trading to all fossil fuel use. It will need to be fully decarbonised, while respecting technological neutrality. This would benefit from the detailed analysis and elaboration of policies implementing the biodiversity and forestry strategies, which in principle will drive some of the additional actions reducing emissions in the sector. Through its external assistance the EU will be able to support third countries in their effort to raise their climate ambitions. There’s good news and bad news about Canada’s 2030 climate target. Interim Climate Actions 2021 will be used to drive continued delivery of climate action across all Government Departments and bodies, while the Climate Action Plan 2021 is being prepared for publication this Summer. At the same time, to effectively contain global climate change and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, all countries and notably G20 members will need to come forward with much more ambitious actions to prevent catastrophic consequences. the Renewable Energy Directive, the Fuel Quality Directive and the upcoming initiatives promoting sustainable aviation and maritime fuels. For aviation, the application of the EU ETS is currently suspended in relation to flights to countries outside the European Economic Area to allow for the development of corresponding international instruments.