Commission welcomes provisional agreement on the European Climate Law

21 April 2021

The Commission welcomes today's provisional agreement between the co-legislators on the European Climate Law.

As one of the key elements of the European Green Deal, the European Climate Law enshrines the EU's commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This agreement on the European Climate Law is a key milestone for the von der Leyen Commission, delivering on one of the commitments announced in the President's Political Guidelines in July 2019.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I am delighted that we have reached an agreement on this core element of the European Green Deal. Our political commitment to becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050 is now also a legal commitment. The Climate Law sets the EU on a green path for a generation. It is our binding pledge to our children and grandchildren.”

Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans added: “This is a landmark moment for the EU. We have reached an ambitious agreement to write our climate neutrality target into binding legislation, as a guide to our policies for the next 30 years. The Climate Law will shape the EU's green recovery and ensure a socially just green transition. Today's agreement also reinforces our global position as a leader in tackling the climate crisis. When world leaders gather on Earth Day, the EU will come to the table with this positive news, which we hope will inspire our international partners. This is a good day for our people and our planet.”

In addition to the 2050 climate neutrality target, today's deal strengthens the European framework for climate action by introducing the following elements:

Background

The Commission tabled its proposal for a European Climate Law on 4 March 2020. Once today's provisional agreement is formally approved by Parliament and Council, the European Climate Law will be published in the Official Journal of the Union and will enter into force.

For More Information

European Climate Law

The European Green Deal

European Commission


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