The European Green Deal
The European Green Deal presents a transformational opportunity like no other in history: it is a commitment to remake Europe’s economy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The European Green Deal is a roadmap to realign Europe’s economy with the trajectory to net zero, help implement the Paris Agreement and build a more sustainable and fairer society.
Developed by the European Commission in late 2019, spurred in part by the mass climate movements which mobilised millions of citizens worldwide, it is a major step forward for climate policy in Europe, while sending a strong signal to the world to propel global climate action.
Since then, out of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, a consensus for green recovery has emerged. The European Green Deal can be the pathway for Europe’s recovery and an opportunity for catalytic change which could generate a new social contract to reconnect citizens to each other, to Europe and to the planet.
What is the European Green Deal and how could it effect change?
An action plan to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality
Practically, the European Green Deal is a set of policy initiatives coordinated across the EU and its Member States to speed up the transition towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including by reaching emissions reductions of at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It provides an EU legislative framework requiring all Member States to take a certain level of action, as well as offering financial support for those most affected by the transition.
An opportunity for a better future for all
If well designed and implemented at EU and national levels, the European Green Deal can set in motion long-term sustainable growth, the creation of new jobs and a better quality of life for all – providing cleaner energy, cutting air pollution and preserving biodiversity. It also aims to engage Europe in a transition that leaves no one behind, makes society more inclusive and more resilient, and bolsters European cohesion.
A powerful tool for bold change
The European Green Deal implies a deep transformation across all sectors of our economy, which requires a massive policy shift. EU policymaking and regulatory action will trigger the alignment of national rules and laws, setting off a domino effect for change across all levels of government, industry and society. Successful implementation could establish Europe as proof of concept for a whole-economy, whole-society transition towards climate neutrality.
A starting point for a broader societal project
The European Green Deal could be the cornerstone in a broader project to reconnect citizens to each other and their wider European community. It could make Europe the foundation of a new social contract centred around ecology and social justice, fostering a new relationship between people, politics and the planet, that inspires the rest of the world.
A catalyst for worldwide climate action
Pioneering and concrete progress towards the Paris Agreement objectives would set the EU at the forefront of global climate leadership to engage with other international players such as China, the US, and countries across the Global South – making climate action a key factor for other global players to deliver on.
The European Green Deal – our approach
The ECF network – a diverse collection of more than 700 partner organisations from across civil society – is committed to working towards the following priorities:
Accelerate the delivery of the transition:
- Encourage strong, ambitious and socially just legislation and standards to translate the aspirations of the European Green Deal into concrete EU instruments with rapid implementation.
- Promote country policies for Member States to meet the EU’s climate targets and ensure that national recovery plans are aligned with the European Green Deal.
- Help secure an effective climate transition across the main economic sectors, especially those within our areas of expertise, that delivers at pace.
Secure a ‘European Green Deal for the people’:
- Engage citizens at the local and regional level to embed the green transition in daily life.
- Act as a unifying and inclusive force by broadening engagement for climate action across all areas of society.
- Defend progress while making the social mandate for climate action stronger overall.
Leverage international climate leadership:
- Spark a supportive dynamic between global leaders that helps them make bold, firm commitments on climate action.
- Build on this dynamic as an international diplomacy tool and as a basis for negotiation with EU partners.
- Encourage and support other countries and regions to foster climate action of their own, using the European Green Deal as a reference for sustainable development and competitiveness.
Europe at the forefront of the climate challenge
Playing a crucial role in international political efforts to tackle the climate challenge, Europe is one of the main players moving with urgency toward the Paris Agreement objectives. Now, with a European Green Deal and a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, Europe has a clear, tangible roadmap to deliver such ambition.
- Fit For 55 Package. The road to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 will require effort from across society and sectors. To stay on a steady path for the next ten years and with the European Green Deal as a blueprint for change, the European Union finalised its master plan against greenhouse gas emissions: the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Learn more.
- Resilient Recovery. The Covid-19 crisis has provided evidence of the need for a more resilient society and economy. Requiring an unprecedented scale of investments, the economic recovery from Covid-19 can be a unique opportunity for big and bold change towards a more sustainable society and a vehicle for accelerating the transition to climate neutrality. To ensure that the post-Covid-19 European economy is aligned with and underpinned by an ambitious European Green Deal, the ECF has developed the Resilient Recovery project. Learn more.