An Ambitious #EUGreenDeal

“Achieving the EU’s climate and environmental goals requires a new industrial policy based on the circular economy”

On 11 December 2019, the European Commission unveiled a plan to zero out its contributions to climate change and transform Europe’s economy.

The ambitious European Green Deal aims to make the 28 countries in the European Union “climate neutral” by 2050. Climate neutrality means emissions will yield no net impact on the climate, and includes warming effects that don’t come from carbon.

Combined, these countries make up the world’s largest economic bloc, and rank third behind China and the United States in contributions to climate change. The proposal aims to meet its objectives while ensuring a just transition for workers who might be hurt in the process.

“This is Europe’s man on the moon moment,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference.

EU officials states that economic growth and fighting climate change have a positive correlation. Indeed, between 1990 and 2018, the EU’s emissions fell by 23 percent, but its gross domestic product grew by 61 percent.

“The European Green Deal is our new growth strategy,” von der Leyen said. “It is a strategy for growth that gives more back than it takes away.”

The agenda targets every sector of the economy and allocates funding to the people who may lose their jobs or see their communities reshaped by the move toward cleaner energy.

The plan adopted by the European Commission will be sent to the European Parliament and European Council for endorsement.

meeting to cajole countries to do more on climate change. Here’s what’s in the European Green Deal, and what isn’t.

Sustainable Industry: Information Sheet