The European Green Deal

The EU has developed a new growth strategy called the European Green Deal in response to the current environmental changes. This strategy aims to achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 and requires zero net emissions of GHG. Its goal is to transform social and environmental challenges into opportunities and create a fair and prosperous society in the EU.

The Green Deal comprises 8 policy areas with plans for all sectors and industries. It aims to lower carbon emissions by promoting sustainable agriculture, environmentally friendly transport, waste mitigation, and the use of renewable energies.

1)
Increasing the EU’s climate ambition for 2030 and 2050

“Current policies will only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050.”

2)
Supply clean, affordable and secure energy

“In Europe between 50 and 125 million people still face energy poverty.” “In April 2020, the energy sector accounted for more than 75% of GHG emissions in Europe.”

3)
Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy

“Today only 1% of resources used in the manufacturing phase remain in use six months after the product is sold.”

4)
Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way

“Buildings are responsible for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of GHG emissions.”

5)
A zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment

The WHO warned that from 2015-2017 pollution caused an average of 9mio premature deaths.”

6)
Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity

“The population of wild species has declined by over 50% on average in the last two generations.”
“More than a quarter of species are threatened with extinction.”

7)
From farm to fork: a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system

“20% of the produced food goes to waste.”

“Food production contributes around 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions.”

“6 million of the population are unable to have a quality meal every second day.”

8)
Acceleration the shift to sustainable an smart mobility

“25% of Greenhouse gas emissions result from transportation methods whereof road transport is the biggest contributor.”