Waiting for the announcement on 11 December 2019 of the concrete measures that the European Green Deal will cover, the European Commission has published on its website a list of policy areas which will be concerned. With the announced objective of "becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent", the following areas of action will apparently be prioritised:
- adoption of a European climate law: it will set in law climate reduction targets in order for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050;
- extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to air transport and shipping;
- a "climate pact" which could relate to the development of carbon removal solutions (natural or technology-based) and the further development of "clean" energy sources;
- a mechanism of Carbon Border Tax;
- promoting circular economy approach and biodiversity;
- a just and socially fair transition;
- a necessary revision of related energy legislation to Ensure the better integration of sectors and energy carriers (electricity/gas).
The website of the European Commission dedicated to the European Green Deal can be accessed at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
Another document from the European Commission dated 3 December (SEC(2019) 2317 final) indicates a timeline for future points on the agenda of the European Commission college meetings as follows:
- 11/12/2019: Communication on the European Green Deal;
- 17/12/2019: European Semester package (including Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2020);
- 08/01/2020: proposal for the establishment of a Just Transition Mechanism, Sustainable Europe Investment Plan;
- 26/02/2020: European Climate Law on 2050 climate neutrality, Biodiversity Strategy;
- 04/03/2020: New Circular Economy Action Plan
Picture: (c) European Commission
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