Green Deal: Let's clarify

Europe has placed sustainability at the center of its political agenda, with the ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the agreements made under the Paris Agreement. At the heart of this strategy is the European Green Deal, a package of strategic initiatives aimed at guiding the European Union towards a green transition and ensuring a fair and prosperous society.

What is the European Green Deal?

The European Green Deal is a series of strategic initiatives aimed at promoting a transition to a sustainable economy and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This package of measures covers a wide range of sectors, including climate, environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and sustainable finance, with the goal of promoting a holistic and cross-sectoral approach.

The initiatives included in the European Green Deal are diverse and aim to transform various key sectors of the European economy. These initiatives include:

  • Sustainable Packaging: An agreement between the Council and the Parliament to make packaging more sustainable and reduce waste;
  • Consumer Rights: The final approval of the directive on consumer empowerment for the green transition;
  • Regulation on Net-Zero Emission Industry: An agreement between the Council and the Parliament to promote green industry in the EU;
  • Circular Economy: A provisional agreement on a directive that promotes the right to repair;
  • Gradual Phasing out of Mercury in the EU: The Council ready to commence negotiations with the Parliament on this important issue.

Fit for 55%

The “Fit for 55” package aims to translate the ambitions of the Green Deal into climate legislation. This package includes legislative proposals to revise climate, energy, and transports legislation in order to achieve the EU’s climate goals.

With the European Climate Law regulation, the EU commits legally to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This regulation provides a framework to ensure a fair and socially equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

Strategies to address climate change

The EU has adopted a series of strategies to address climate change and promote sustainability. These strategies include:

  • The climate change adaptation strategy;
  • The biodiversity strategy for 2030;
  • The “Farm to Fork” strategy; and
  • The strategy for forests and deforestation.

The European Council plays a crucial role in implementing the Green Deal. This body provides political guidance, discusses legislative and non-legislative proposals, and works together with the Commission and the European Parliament to adopt regulations aimed at promoting sustainability and ensuring a fair transition to a green economy.

The European Green Deal represents a significant commitment by the EU to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability in Europe and worldwide. Its implementation requires concerted efforts from all EU institutions and its member states, but the benefits for the environment, economy, and society will be invaluable.

Farmers' protests

The Green Deal initiative is facing protests from farmers in various European countries. Concerns mainly revolve around the Nature Restoration Law, aimed at promoting biodiversity, which is causing tensions among farmers already grappling with price hikes and foreign competition. The Commission is seeking to mediate, but the debate remains heated: how to reconcile sustainable agriculture and environmental needs with so many stakeholders involved? The answer lies in Precision Agriculture and Agriculture 4.0.

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