Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:
- no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050
- economic growth decoupled from resource use
- no person and no place left behind
The European Green Deal is also our lifeline out of the COVID-19 pandemic. One third of the €1.8 trillion investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, and the EU’s seven-year budget will finance the European Green Deal.
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. More information on Delivering the European Green Deal.
11 September 2024 – The State of the Energy Union 2024 report finds the EU has withstood critical risks to its security of energy supply, regained control over the energy market and prices, and accelerated the transition towards climate neutrality. The annual report takes stock of the EU’s progress in 2023-24 towards the objectives of the Energy Union, the REPowerEU plan to reduce dependencies on Russia’s fossil fuels, and the clean energy transition. According to the report, the EU has successfully put in place the necessary regulatory and financing framework to achieve its 2030 climate and energy goals and lay the foundations for renewed economic growth and competitiveness. While significant progress is reported in meeting the objectives of the Energy Union, the report finds there are areas where improvements are needed, such as stepping up the EU’s energy efficiency efforts.
Key figures
Becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050
A clean and efficient energy transition
Protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems
A healthy food system for people and the planet
Providing efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport
An industrial strategy for a competitive, green and digital Europe
Its role in driving transformative change
Sustainable investments to deliver the European Green Deal
A creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences
Timeline
- 18 August 2024
Entry into force of the Nature Restoration Law
- 30 July 2024
Entry into force of the new Directive on repair of goods
- 28 June 2024
The net-zero industry act enters into force
- 17 June 2024
The Council adopts the Nature restoration law
- 13 June 2024
New regulation is adopted ensuring better and sustainable connectivity in Europe
- 30 May 2024
The Council adopts the right-to-repair directive
- 28 May 2024
The EU and Australia sign partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals
- 27 May 2024
Adoption of the Net-Zero Industry Act and of the EU Regulation to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector
- 21 May 2024
The Council adopts the electricity market design reform and the decarbonised gasses and hydrogen package
- 21 May 2024
- 13 May 2024
The Council adopts the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles
- 22 April 2024
The Commission defines principles on limiting most harmful chemicals to essential uses
- 13 April 2024
Entry into force of the Regulation on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure
- 12 April 2024
New rules on emission limits for cars, vans and trucks are adopted
- 12 April 2024
- 12 April 2024
Adoption of the strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
- 10 April 2024
The Commission takes stock of a series of Clean Transition Dialogues on transforming Europe into a clean, resource-efficient, fair and competitive economy
- 27 March 2024
Entry into force of the Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition
- 21 March 2024
The EU and Norway sign strategic partnership on sustainable land-based raw materials and battery value chains
- 15 March 2024
Commission proposes targeted review of Common Agricultural Policy to support EU farmers
- 12 March 2024
Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity
- 11 March 2024
Entry into force of the Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases
- 20 February 2024
Political agreement on the first EU-wide certification scheme for carbon removals
- 20 February 2024
Political agreement on new air quality standards in the EU
- 19 February 2024
The EU and Rwanda sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains
- 16 February 2024
Political agreement on tackling ship-source pollution to help make European seas cleaner
- 8 February 2024
Political agreement to ban all remaining intentional uses of toxic mercury in the EU
- 6 February 2024
The Commission adopts an EU Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, setting out how to sustainably capture, store and use CO2
- 6 February 2024
The Commission presents recommendation for 2040 emissions reduction target to set the path to climate neutrality in 2050
- 6 February 2024
Political agreement on the Net-Zero Industry Act
- 2 February 2024
Political agreement on common rules to promote the repair of goods for consumers
- 29 January 2024
Political agreement on more thorough and more cost-effective urban wastewater management
- 25 January 2024
The Commission launches Strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture
- 19 December 2023
Political agreement on more sustainable and resilient trans-European transport network
- 14 December 2023
Political agreement on the reform of the EU's electricity market design
- 8 December 2023
Political agreement on updated EU rules to decarbonise the gas market and create a hydrogen market
- 7 December 2023
Political agreement on new rules to boost energy performance of buildings across the EU
- 5 December 2023
Political agreement on improving classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous chemicals
- 2 December 2023
COP28: President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen launches Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency
- 29 November 2023
Political agreement on modernising management of industrial emissions
- 28 November 2023
The Commission sets out actions to accelerate the roll-out of electricity grids
- 22 November 2023
The Commission proposes a new forest monitoring law that aims to improve resilience of European forests
- 24 October 2023
The Commission presents the European Wind Power Action Plan
- 9 October 2023
With the adoption of the last two proposals, the Fit for 55 package of measures to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels is now complete. The EU now has legally binding climate targets covering all key sectors of the economy
- 1 October 2023
Enter into application of the transitional phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- 13 July 2023
Presentation of an initiative to enhance the circularity of the automotive sector, covering the design, production and end-of-life treatment of vehicles
- 11 July 2023
Presentation of measures to make freight transport more efficient and sustainable, by improving rail infrastructure management, offering stronger incentives for low-emission lorries, and better information on freight transport greenhouse gas emissions
- 5 July 2023
The Commission presents a package of measures for a sustainable use of key natural resources – to help soil resilience, increase the sustainability and resilience of our food systems, improving plant and forest reproductive material and reducing food and textile waste
- 16 June 2023
Proposal for a revision of the Energy Labelling Regulation, to help consumers make informed and sustainable choices when purchasing mobile and cordless phones and tablets
- 26 April 2023
The European Parliament and the Council reach a political agreement on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal
- 25 April 2023
'Fit for 55': Council adopts key pieces of legislation delivering on 2030 climate targets
- 25 April 2023
EU Energy Platform: Commission launches first call for companies to jointly buy gas
- 21 April 2023
The Commission proposes to revise the existing marketing standards of agri-food products
- 28 March 2023
Ambitious new law agreed to deploy sufficient alternative fuels infrastructure
- 23 March 2023
Agreement reached on cutting maritime transport emissions by promoting sustainable fuels for shipping
- 22 March 2023
Consumer protection: enabling sustainable choices and ending greenwashing
- 22 March 2023
Right to repair: the Commission adopts a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods
- 16 March 2023
The Commission proposes the Critical Raw Materials Act
- 16 March 2023
The Commission proposes the Net-Zero Industry Act
- 16 March 2023
The Commission launches the New European Bauhaus capacity-building programme for the reconstruction of Ukraine
- 14 March 2023
The Commission proposes reform of the EU electricity market design to boost renewables, better protect consumers and enhance industrial competitiveness
- 10 March 2023
The EU agrees stronger rules to boost energy efficiency
- 21 February 2023
The Commission is presenting a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector.
- 14 February 2023
The Commission proposes 2030 zero-emissions target for new city buses and 90% emissions reductions for new trucks by 2040
- 13 February 2023
The Commission sets out rules for renewable hydrogen
- 1 February 2023
The Commission presents a Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality
- 24 January 2023
Presentation of a ’A New Deal for Pollinators’ to tackle the alarming decline in wild pollinating insects in Europe
- 18 December 2022
EU agrees to strengthen and expand emissions trading, and creates a Social Climate Fund to help people in the transition
- 9 December 2022
New rules on applying the EU emissions trading system in the aviation sector
- 6 December 2022
EU agrees law to fight global deforestation and forest degradation driven by EU production and consumption
- 15 November 2022
- 27 October 2022
The Council and the European Parliament reach a provisional political agreement on stricter CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans
- 26 October 2022
Commission proposes stronger rules for cleaner air and water
- 15 September 2022
Proposal for an emergency market intervention to reduce energy bills for Europeans
- 20 July 2022
‘Save gas for a safe winter’ proposal
- 22 June 2022
- 18 May 2022
REPowerEU plan: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for Europe
- 22 April 2022
The European Commission joins the European Climate Pact and pledges to make its operations climate neutral by 2030
- 8 March 2022
REPowerEU: Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy
- 15 December 2021
- 14 December 2021
- 15 September 2021
- 14 July 2021
- 17 May 2021
- 12 May 2021
- 25 March 2021
- 24 February 2021
- 18 January 2021
- 10 December 2020
- 9 December 2020
- 19 November 2020
- 17 September 2020
Presentation of the 2030 Climate Target Plan
- 8 July 2020
Adoption of the EU strategies for energy system integration and hydrogen to pave the way towards a fully decarbonised, more efficient and interconnected energy sector
- 20 May 2020
Presentation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 to protect the fragile natural resources on our planet
Presentation of the ‘Farm to fork strategy’ to make food systems more sustainable
- 11 March 2020
Proposal of a Circular Economy Action Plan focusing on sustainable resource use
- 10 March 2020
Adoption of the European Industrial Strategy, a plan for a future-ready economy
- 4 March 2020
Proposal for a European climate law to ensure a climate neutral European Union by 2050
Public consultation (open until 17 June 2020) on the European Climate Pact bringing together regions, local communities, civil society, businesses and schools
- 14 January 2020
Presentation of the European Green Deal Investment Plan and the Just Transition Mechanism
- 11 December 2019
Presentation of the European Green Deal
Documents
Factsheets on Delivering the European Green Deal
A clear and complete repository of the thematic areas that are shaping the European Green Deal
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