The EU needs to renew the climate and energy strategy to be implemented in 2021-2030. Against the ‘climate neutrality’ goal by 2050, the idea of more significant emission reductions (-50-55%, rather than 40%) between now and 2030 is on the horizon.
The European Commission has opened a public consultation procedure, allowing interested social partners and citizens to comment on the envisaged measures. By 4/15/20, on https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12265-2030-Climate-Target-Plan
Target 1.5°C
The Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015 saw the approval of the first legally binding international agreement on the topic. The agreement was endorsed by 195 countries and has the primary goal of containing global warming to within 2°C more by the end of the century than pre-industrial levels. Limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C, on the other hand, is the most ambitious goal, with significant impact on the quality of life in different ecosystems. (1)
The UN-IPCC Special Report.
Global Warming of 1.5°C
indicates in turn how:
– containing global warming within 1.5°C means limiting sea rise to 10 cm, preventing 10 million people from having to endure risks to water resources, infrastructure and ecosystems,
– reaching the extra 2°C means losing the entire coral reef (loss otherwise ‘limited’ to 70-90%). And expose 420 million more people to heat waves. (2)
The current scenario
The current trend of production systems and energy consumption vice versa would lead to a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees, between 2030 and 2052, and 3.2°C in the long term.
States parties to the Climate Agreement must therefore increase their efforts. If the temperature increase is to be kept within 2 degrees, the climate targets (adopted every 5 years) must be tripled; within 1.5 degrees they must be quintupled. (3)
The European Union has adhered from the outset to reaching the Paris Agreement, at least in words. The initial binding target was to reduce emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.
The European Green Deal
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European Green Deal
is the policy program presented on 11.12.19 by the new European Commission, under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen. In proposing a growth strategy that protects the environment and people’s quality of life, the Green Deal aspires to achieve climate neutrality in the EU by 2050.
Therefore, the EU now intends to strengthen its commitments in the Paris Agreement by reducing emissions between 50 percent and 55 percent by 2030. This involves investing in green technologies, supporting innovation, and introducing sustainable and affordable forms of public transportation.
We need to decarbonize the economy starting with the energy sector, ensure greater building efficiency, and work with international partners to improve global environmental standards. The EU has planned to allocate €100 billion, over the period 2021-2027, to support businesses most affected by the transition to the green economy.
Alessandra Mei and Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Paris Agreement.
(2) IPCC. Special Report. Global Warming of 1.5°C.
(3) UNEP. Emissions Gap Report 2019.
Graduated in Law from the University of Bologna, she attended the Master in Food Law at the same University. You participate in the WIISE srl benefit team by dedicating yourself to European and international research and innovation projects.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
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