The European Council has agreed reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

This week it revised its reduction target by 2030 upwards from 40% to 55%.

The revision in the target is in order to meet the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement, with the Council saying that the EU needs to increase its ambition for the coming decade and update its climate and energy policy framework.

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The Council endorsed the binding EU target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

EU leaders intend to raise their climate ambition in a manner that will:

  • Spur sustainable economic growth.
  • Create jobs.
  • Deliver health and environmental benefits for EU citizens.
  • Contribute to the long-term global competitiveness of the EU economy by promoting green innovation.
  • The European Council invited the European Commission to assess how all economic sectors can best contribute to the 2030 target and to make the necessary proposals, accompanied by an in-depth examination of environmental, economic and social impacts at member state level.

    The Council has asked the Commission to consider how to strengthen the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and address concerns raised in relation to the distribution of efforts, fairness and cost-effectiveness, forestry and land use and rising emissions and decreasing sinks from these sectors caused by the adverse effects of climate change.