Climate & Energy Targets

According to the Climate Change Performance Index 2021 (CCPI), published today, the EU won six ranks from last year, but the index paints a mixed picture of progress on climate action within the EU.

The prime minister of the United Kingdom has announced a new, increased climate target for 2030 of at least 68% greenhouse gas emission cuts, just in time before he co-organises the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. This announcement is also taking place a few days ahead of a European Council where EU leaders should also adopt a new, more ambitious 2030 climate target.

New data on greenhouse gas emission reductions in the EU published today in the European Environment Agency (EEA)’s annual ‘trends and projections’ assessments show a 4% emissions decrease in 2019 from 2018, showing that deep emission cuts are possible and can be achieved irrespective of economic trends.

Nevertheless, higher

At a European summit dedicated to enhancing the EU’s response to the COVID outbreak, prime ministers of Poland and Hungary reiterated their opposition to the EU budget and recovery funds on the issue of the rule of law, while a quick endorsement of the financial stimuli is needed to allow all EU countries to both relaunch their economies and finance a just and clean energy transition in line with a higher 2030 emission reduction target, a decision that is due to be made at the

The outcome of the US elections must serve as a game-changer in US international climate leadership. Unlike his predecessor who chose to ignore the science, the Biden administration has committed to putting his country back on track with the Paris Agreement goals, a great signal for the world.

The Energy Charter Treaty is an international agreement that protects foreign investors in the energy sector and allows them to challenge state measures in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). The treaty is incompatible with the EU’s climate commitments and the current modernisation process will not fix this, as the necessary reforms are either opposed by other contracting parties or not being discussed. 

A leaked European Commission proposal reveals that the EU is not serious about ending the protection of fossil fuels under the controversial Energy Charter Treaty. [1] European Commissioners are expected today to sign off proposals to reform the investment agreement, which is currently being renegotiated to ‘modernise’ it, due to climate concerns. [2]

To EU Energy and Climate Ministers, 27 October 2020

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe's leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change with over 170 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1.500 NGOs. ClientEarth is an environmental law charity with offices in London, Brussels, Warsaw, Madrid, Berlin and Beijing. ClientEarth uses the power of the law to protect people and the planet. Friends of the Earth Europe is the European

Environment ministers of the European Union met today to discuss their position on the EU Climate Law. Following the recent position of the Parliament which called for an increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target to 60% emission cuts, several ministers advocated for upgrading the proposed goal to 60-65% to stay on track with the Paris Agreement and prevent dangerous climate change.

EU Heads of States and Governments discussed the proposed increase of the EU 2030 climate target but confirmed that a final decision will only be taken at their next meeting in December. To honour the Paris Agreement, the EU needs to substantially increase its commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 before the end of the year.

The European Commission’s comprehensive plan on how to increase energy renovations across the EU, dubbed the Renovation Wave, provides - finally - a strong recognition of the important role of tackling emissions from the building sector. However, doubling the renovation rate of our guzzling houses and offices will not be sufficient to ensure healthy, energy-efficient and carbon-free buildings for all. 

MEDIA ADVISORY

EU heads of state and government will discuss the level of the new EU 2030 emission reductions target at the European Council this week. Raising the climate ambition of the bloc in line with the Paris Agreement is essential to limit the growing economic costs of global warming, estimated to reach by mid-century more than 175 billion euros each year for the EU, with economic damages in Southern and Eastern economies being double the average.

The European Parliament today adopted its position on the EU 2030 climate target, calling for an increase to at least 60% emission cuts, excluding removals, a major step forward for EU’s climate ambition and its international leadership in the fight against climate change.