There is no doubt that the European Green Deal is ambitious: It aims to decarbonize the world’s second-largest economy within three decades. Which begs the question: Why don’t we just shut down Germany? According to the Commission, it will focus on “the regions, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges.” Rejected names believed to have included “Money for Polish Coal Miners Mechanism” and “(Not) Just (Any Old) Transition Mechanism.”, Paris Agreement: Global climate pact that has its eyes firmly fixed on mid-century, when experts say humans need to all but eliminate greenhouse-gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of global warming. One can be a cynic about politicians and expediency, but in this case, the shift in perceptions is real. Kritik am "New Green Deal" 4. Next year, instead of arguing over whether the EU should cut emissions by 55 percent, countries will fight over who must shoulder the most burden. “You need that long-term view that is independent of the political party, that provides advice, practical advice, on how to move forward,” she said. Dimitris Valatsas is the chief economist at Greenmantle. That’s a huge success for the scientists, lobbyists and campaigners who have waged a decades-long battle to make global warming a central concern — something helped by Australian, Siberian, Brazilian, Portuguese and Californian wildfires, melting icecaps, summer heatwaves, ferocious storms, coastal floods and steadily climbing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Climate Law:The legislation meant to make the bloc’s 2050 goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero legally binding. It explains how to ensure a just and inclusive transition. The EU is doing the same thing for sustainable living here on Earth. The report is part of a research programme run by the PRI throughout 2019 and early 2020, drawing from interviews with investors and the PRI’s own programmatic research. InvestEU: Sounds like the subject line of an email from a wayward royal telling you there are millions of dollars unclaimed in a Western Union account and he can help you get it out — all he needs is a small cash advance or a bank account number to complete the wire transfer! The European Green Deal . Argument: Circular economy: The Commission’s “Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe” is one of the main thrusts of the Green Deal. It is a package of measures that aims to radically cut emissions of greenhouse gases while creating jobs in clean industries. Under a European Council proposal, Germany, with its large coal industry, was slated to receive the second-largest share of the pie, despite being one of the bloc’s wealthiest countries. Social Sharing. Schulze, Svenja: The German environment minister who is tasked with leading negotiations among EU countries on climate. Concerns about the efficacy of Sinovac and Sinopharm has dented their reputation, even among allies of Beijing. Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. By logging in, you confirm acceptance of our POLITICO Privacy Policy. On protecting nature, much is aspirational and needs to be fleshed out. Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. Getting richer does not have to mean polluting more. During the coronavirus pandemic economic activity slowed, causing a reduction in carbon emissions but leaving the EU facing recession. Finally, EU diplomatic efforts will be mobilised in support of the Green Deal. Latest news, analysis and comment on migration in Europe and beyond. Sea level rise alone could be costing Europe €135 billion to €145 billion per year by the 2050s, rising to €450 billion to €650 billion by the 2080s. The wrangling will start when Timmermans presents legislation on how to meet the 2030 target in June 2021. A prize-winning climate scientist, she’s an adviser on climate policy to both the French and British governments. The European Green Deal will support and accelerate the EU’s industry transition to a sustainable model of inclusive growth. Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. What’s driving the day in Paris, en français, The weekly digest of the best stories in U.K. politics, SPONSORED CONTENT FROM COCA-COLA IN EUROPE. boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy; restore biodiversity and cut pollution ; The plan outlines investments needed and financing tools available. But she’s used climate as a bargaining chip to win over left-leaning groups, and has made the Green Deal the centerpiece of her presidency. But the Biden administration still faces an unreliable ally in Duterte. The European Green Deal is the European Commission’s blueprint and roadmap to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, with a sustainable economy that leaves no one behind. Youth climate activists led by Greta Thunberg accused EU Green Deal chief Frans Timmermans of lacking the courage to align the bloc's massive farm subsidies scheme with his own flagship climate goals. After all, the EU accounts for only 10 percent of global emissions—and any gains made there would be more than wiped out elsewhere. New data proves you can support capitalism or the environment—but it’s hard to do both. When presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt promised a “New Deal” for a depression-struck U.S. in 1932, he didn’t really have a plan. Despite this being the EU’s most vaunted policy, it’s curiously lacking in detail. Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. Given how popular the climate agenda is in Western Europe, it seems likely that the EU will commit to this rule. If the EU succeeds in its ambitions, it will be able to tell the world that prosperity is not incompatible with climate sustainability. The EU aims to be climate neutral in 2050. By driving the economy toward carbon neutrality, EU climate policymaking can prove as much for others. It’s bad. But the EU is a long way behind China, Japan and the U.S. when it comes to tapping its potential. Timmermans, Frans: The Commission’s main man on the Green Deal. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. That’s about half a percentage point of the EU’s GDP. Finally, the EU sees climate change as an issue that allows it to play the role of a global power — pestering the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Agreement, making deals with China and pressing other countries to also boost their climate pledges. This package of measures has far-reaching implications, not only for European consumers and businesses, but also for suppliers and markets globally. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. Why hydrogen is no magic solution for EU Green Deal. Greenhouse gas emissions by sector in EU countries plus the U.K. in 2016, in millions of tons of CO2-equivalent: The Green Deal is, in the European Commission’s ponderous vernacular: “a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use.”. Waiting for a call for a crucial meeting with Frans Timmermans, the Commission vice president in charge of the European Green Deal, and worried that he’ll start dropping unfamiliar terms? Le Quéré, 54, wanted to be a sports teacher but missed the application deadline by a day … and ended up studying physics and oceanography in her native Canada. Experts are divided on which is worse: climate apocalypse or Netflix show “Emily in Paris.”. Greta Thunberg Calls Out EU Green Deal Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addresses the environment committee at the European Parliament in Brussels as they unveil their Green Deal. The European Green Deal is at the heart of European efforts to achieve sustainability. Can the EU’s call to climate action actually have an impact? Find out more about this roadmap for a climate-neutral Europe. Once elected, he canvassed and experimented widely and brought in surprising thinkers and ideas. As the European Union sets out a more ambitious climate policy, carbon price floors provide an opportunity to place greater emphasis on altering expectations, so that market agents anticipate today higher future pay-offs from low-carbon investment. Finally, you need to know that both of Timmermans’ grandfathers were coal miners. If you do not have a login you can register here. Clevere Gegenrechnung: Kommissionschefin Ursula … The centerpiece is the European Climate Law, which is in the final stages of negotiation between EU institutions. If the world isn’t careful, renewable energy could become as Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Also, the stuff that EU dreams are made of: lots of technical details, lots of politics and lots for MEPs and EU countries to fight about until they strike a deal. Horizon Europe, in synergy with other EU programmes, will be key to leveraging national public and private investment. Fear not! Read more. Most of today’s greenhouse gases come from power production and transportation, but there are also significant contributions from industry, commercial and residential fuel combustion and agriculture. But it’s actually another part of the Just Transition Mechanism (see below). As Europe increases its climate ambitions, “we expect the rest of the world to play its role too,” an EU official explained. Why is the EU Commission promoting a lose-lose (pay more, get less) strategy rather than the straightforward use of green electricity, where it will deliver bigger CO2-reductions and for less money? He’ll have to find a way to get the auto industry to institute radical new emissions standards for cars and trucks, and accept that they will soon be subject to Europe’s carbon pricing system. The goal is clear, even if the man in charge doesn’t know exactly how it can be reached. Although that will likely be one of the most contentious aspects of the Green Deal, it is hard to imagine how else the EU could combat carbon leakage, where products that fall foul of environmental regulations if produced in the EU are simply imported from elsewhere, creating the same carbon emissions with none of the economic benefits. The past 30 years have already given observers a taste of that: From 1990 to 2018, the EU’s emissions were down 23 percent. Europe’s Green Deal Is Great, Unless It’s a Backdoor to a Planned Economy . Instead, she dives back into pure science. Log in to access content and manage your profile.