European Green Deal

The European Green Deal is the EU’s long-term growth strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. The European Commission has adopted a set of proposals to make the EU’s climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

The European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:

• no net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2050
• economic growth decoupled from resource use
• no person and no place left behind

This will create new opportunities for innovation and investment and jobs, as well as:

• reduce emissions
• create jobs and growth
• address energy poverty
• reduce external energy dependency
• improve health and wellbeing

The benefits of the European Green Deal:

• fresh air, clean water, healthy soil and biodiversity
• renovated, energy efficient buildings
• healthy and affordable food
• more public transport
• cleaner energy and cutting-edge clean technological innovation
• longer lasting products that can be repaired, recycled and re-used
• future-proof jobs and skills training for the transition
• globally competitive and resilient industry

Energy and the Green Deal

The production and use of energy account for more than 75% of the EU’s GHG emissions. Decarbonising the EU’s energy system is therefore critical to reach 2030 climate objectives and the EU’s long-term strategy of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The European Green Deal focuses on 3 key principles for the clean energy transition, which will help reduce GHG emissions and enhance the quality of life of citizens:

1. ensuring a secure and affordable EU energy supply
2. developing a fully integrated, interconnected and digitalised EU energy market
3. prioritising energy efficiency (EE), improving the energy performance of buildings and developing a power sector based largely on renewable energy sources (RES)

The main objectives to achieve this are:

• build interconnected energy systems and better integrated grids to support RES
• promote innovative technologies and modern infrastructure
• boost EE and eco-design of products
• decarbonise the gas sector and promote smart integration across sectors
• empower consumers and help EU countries to tackle energy poverty
• promote EU energy standards and technologies at global level
• develop the full potential of Europe’s offshore wind energy

Cleaning energy sector

Reducing GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 requires higher shares of RE and greater EE.

• The Commission proposes to increase the binding target of RES in the EU’s energy mix to 40%. The proposals promote the uptake of renewable fuels, such as hydrogen in industry and transport, with additional targets.
• In addition, reducing energy consumption is essential to bring down both emissions and energy costs for consumers and industry. The Commission proposes to increase EE targets at EU level and make them binding, to achieve by 2030 an overall reduction of 36-39% for final and primary energy consumption.

The tax system for energy products must also support the green transition by giving the right incentives. The Commission proposes to align the minimum tax rates for heating and transport with climate objectives, while mitigating the social impact and supporting vulnerable citizens.

Renovating buildings for greener lifestyle

Renovating homes and buildings will save energy, protect against extremes of heat or cold and tackle energy poverty.

The Commission proposes to:

• require Member States to renovate at least 3% of the total floor area of all public buildings annually
• set a benchmark of 49% of renewables in buildings by 2030
• require Member States to increase the use of RE in heating and cooling by +1.1% each year, until 2030.