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European Green Deal

Europe’s future depends on a healthy planet. EU countries are committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, delivering on the commitments under the Paris Agreement. The European Green Deal is the EU’s strategy for reaching the 2050 goal.

What is the European Green Deal?

The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

It supports the transformation of the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern and competitive economy.

It underlines the need for a holistic and cross-sectoral approach in which all relevant policy areas contribute to the ultimate climate-related goal. The package includes initiatives covering the climate, the environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and sustainable finance – all of which are strongly interlinked.

The European Green Deal was launched by the Commission in December 2019 and the European Council noted it during its December meeting.

The transition to climate neutrality will bring significant opportunities, such as potential for economic growth, for new business models and markets, for new jobs and technological development. European Council conclusions, 12 December 2019

What initiatives are included in the Green Deal?

Fit for 55

The Fit for 55 package aims to translate the climate ambitions of the Green Deal into law.

The package is a set of proposals to revise climate-, energy- and transport-related legislation and put in place new legislative initiatives to align EU laws with the EU’s climate goals.

The package of proposals aims at providing a coherent and balanced framework for reaching the EU's climate objectives, which:

  • ensures a just and socially fair transition
  • maintains and strengthens innovation and competitiveness of EU industry while ensuring a level playing field vis-à-vis third country economic operators
  • underpins the EU's position as leading the way in the global fight against climate change

European climate law

The European climate law regulation turns the political ambition of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 into a legal obligation for the EU.

By adopting it, the EU and its member states committed to cutting net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This target is legally binding and based on an impact assessment carried out by the Commission.

The main actions included in the regulation are:

  • mapping out the pace of emission reductions until 2050 to give predictability to businesses, stakeholders and citizens
  • developing a system to monitor and report on the progress made towards the goal
  • ensuring a cost-efficient and socially-fair green transition

Following the provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament in April 2021, the Council approved the agreement in May 2021. The regulation is in force.

EU strategy on adaptation to climate change

In June 2021, EU environment ministers approved conclusions endorsing the new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change. The strategy outlines a long-term vision for the EU to become a climate-resilient society that is fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change by 2050.

The measures set out in the strategy include: 

  • better gathering and sharing of data to improve access to and exchange of knowledge on climate impacts
  • nature-based solutions to help build climate resilience and protect ecosystems
  • integration of adaptation in macro-fiscal policies

The conclusions give political guidance to the Commission on the implementation of the strategy. 

In March 2022, the Council adopted conclusions calling for the adaptation of civil protection to extreme weather events resulting from climate change.

Ministers called for the adaptation of civil protection systems with a focus on:

  • prevention
  • preparedness
  • response
  • recovery

EU biodiversity strategy for 2030

The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 aims to help recover Europe’s biodiversity by 2030. This would bring benefits for people, the climate and the planet.

The actions set out in the strategy include:

  • extending protected land and sea areas in Europe
  • restoring degraded ecosystems by reducing the use and harmfulness of pesticides
  • increasing funding of actions and better monitoring of progress

In October 2020, the Environment Council adopted conclusions on biodiversity, endorsing the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. Member states recognised the need to step up efforts by addressing the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity and nature loss and reiterated the call for full integration of biodiversity objectives into other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

In June 2023, the Council agreed on a negotiating position on the proposed nature restoration law which aims to put into legislation some of the goals of the biodiversity strategy. The rules would set a binding target at EU level, which would require member states to put in place effective restoration measures to cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030.

Farm to fork strategy

The Commission’s farm to fork strategy aims to help the EU achieve climate neutrality by 2050, by shifting the current EU food system towards a sustainable model. 

In addition to food security and safety, the strategy’s main goals are to:

  • ensure sufficient, affordable and nutritious food within planetary limits
  • support sustainable food production 
  • promote more sustainable food consumption and healthy diets

In October 2020, the Council adopted a set of conclusions on the strategy, endorsing the goal of developing a European sustainable food system, from production to consumption.

European industrial strategy

The EU relies on Europe’s industry to lead the transitions towards climate neutrality.

The aim of the EU’s industrial strategy is to support the industry in its role as an accelerator and enabler of change, innovation and growth. 

Following the publication of the Commission’s new industrial strategy published in March 2020, the Council adopted conclusions on the strategy in November 2020. In them, ministers stressed that the principles of sustainability, circularity and environmental protection should support the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

An update to the industrial strategy, published by the Commission in May 2021, is aimed at strengthening resilience and advancing Europe’s competitiveness. It strives to enable Europe’s industry to lead the green and digital transformation and become the global driving force in the shift towards climate neutrality and digitalisation.

Circular economy action plan

Decoupling economic growth from resource use and shifting to circular systems in production and consumption is key to achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050.

In March 2020, the Commission presented a new circular economy action plan, on which the Council adopted conclusions in December 2020. The conclusions also highlight the role of the circular economy in ensuring a green recovery from COVID-19.

The action plan envisages over 30 action points on designing of sustainable products, circularity in production processes and empowering consumers and public buyers. It targets sectors such as electronics and ICT, batteries, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, and food.

Batteries and waste batteries

Demand for batteries is expected to grow by more than ten-fold by 2030. The EU has adopted a regulation on batteries to create a circular economy for the sector by targeting all stages of the life cycle of batteries, from design to waste treatment. This initiative is of major importance, particularly in view of the massive development of electric mobility. 

The new regulation adopted in 2023 replaces the current batteries directive of 2006. It aims to both promote a circular economy and improve the functioning of the internal market for batteries ensuring fairer competition thanks to the safety, sustainability and labelling requirements.

The European Commission presented a proposal for the regulation in December 2020. The Council adopted a general approach on 17 March 2022. Following interinstitutional negotiations, a provisional agreement was reached between the Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators. The Council formally adopted the final text in July 2023, completing the legislative procedure. 

A just transition

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 will be more challenging for some member states and regions than for others. For instance, some are more reliant on fossil fuels, or have carbon-intensive industries, that employ significant numbers of people.

The EU has introduced a just transition mechanism to provide financial and technical support to the regions most affected by the move towards a low-carbon economy. It will help mobilise at least €55 billion over the period 2021-2027 for:

  • people and communities – facilitating employment opportunities and reskilling, improving energy-efficient housing and fighting energy poverty
  • companies – making the transition to low-carbon technology attractive for investment, providing financial support for and investment in research and innovation
  • member states or regions – investing in new green jobs, sustainable public transport, digital connectivity and clean energy infrastructure

With an overall budget of €17.5 billion, the just transition fund is the first pillar of the mechanism. It provides tailored support to alleviate the social and economic costs resulting from the green transition for regions dependent on fossil fuels and high-emission industries. It supports investment in:

  • SMEs and new firms
  • research and innovation
  • clean energy technologies and emissions reduction
  • reskilling of workers and job-search assistance
The EU Just Transition Mechanism will help regions which are highly dependent on fossil fuels and carbon intensive industries to embrace the transition to clean energy.

On 7 June 2021, the Council adopted the regulation establishing the fund.

The transformation towards a greener future requires a contribution from the financial sector.  As part of the Green Deal, the Commission has proposed a number of initiatives on sustainable finance:

  • investment plans
  • taxonomy on green investments
  • rules on green bonds

Clean, affordable and secure energy

As 75% of EU greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use and production, the decarbonisation of the energy sector is a crucial step towards a climate-neutral EU.

The EU is working at several levels to achieve these objectives:

  • supporting the development and uptake of cleaner energy sources, such a renewable offshore energy and hydrogen
  • fostering integration of energy systems throughout the EU
  • developing interconnected energy infrastructure via EU energy corridors
  • revising the current legislation on energy efficiency and renewable energy, including their 2030 targets

The buildings sector is one of the largest energy consumers in Europe and is responsible for more than one third of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions.

In June 2021, EU ministers approved conclusions on the Commission’s renovation wave strategy emphasising the aspects of social inclusion, economic recovery and green transition. Ministers endorsed the aim of the strategy to at least double energy-related renovation rates in the EU by 2030.

EU chemicals strategy for sustainability

Chemicals are essential to modern living standards and the economy. However, chemical substances can be harmful to people and the environment. In March 2021, the Council adopted conclusions endorsing the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability, as presented by the Commission.

The strategy sets out a long-term vision for the EU chemicals policy, wherein the EU and member states want to:

  • better protect human health 
  • strengthen the industry’s competitiveness
  • support a toxic-free environment

The strategy is an essential part of the European Green Deal and its zero-pollution ambition.

Forest strategy and deforestation

As one of the flagship elements of the European Green Deal, the EU forest strategy for 2030, presented by the Commission in July 2021, builds on the EU’s biodiversity strategy and forms a key part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. 

The proposed measures include:

  • promoting sustainable forest management
  • providing financial incentives for forest owners and managers to adopt environmentally friendly practices 
  • improving the size and biodiversity of forests, including by planting 3 billion new trees by 2030

In its conclusions approved in November 2021, the Council highlighted the essential role of forests for human health and the need to strike a balance between the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable forest management. 

The EU has adopted rules to reduce the EU’s impact on global deforestation. The regulation, adopted in May 2023, will ensure that products purchased, used and consumed by citizens on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide.

What is the role of the European Council and the Council in the Green Deal?

The European Council provides political guidance on the EU’s policies. The EU’s commitment to becoming climate-neutral by 2050, which the leaders enshrined in the strategic agenda and reaffirmed in December 2019, sets a clear objective for the coming years. 

The Commission submits its proposals and initiatives published under the Green Deal to the Council of the EU, and to the European Parliament. EU ministers meeting in various Council configurations discuss the proposed legislative and non-legislative actions.

In the case of legislative proposals, the final objective is to adopt legislation – in most cases in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, under which the Council and the European Parliament decide as co-legislators.

Illustration on climate neutrality

5 facts about the EU’s goal of climate neutrality

Fighting climate change is imperative for the future of Europe and the world. The European climate law enshrines in legislation the EU's objective of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. This goal followed on from the commitment made by the EU and its member states on signing the Paris Agreement in 2015. What does climate neutrality mean and how does the EU plan to achieve this goal? 

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Last review: 21 March 2024