The European Green Deal was born in the last months of 2019 with the aim of making the economy of the European Union sustainable, after the European Parliament declared the climate emergency, asking the European Commission to ensure that all legislative proposals are in line with the goal of limiting global warming.
The Green Deal includes initiatives in several fields, including climate, agriculture, mobility, biodiversity protection and climate neutrality.
How has the Green Deal changed after the Covid-19 emergency?
The health and economic crisis caused by Covid-19 have unfortunately become the priority of the European Parliament. However, the European Union wants to create a sustainable future against the recession, by relaunching the economy through a green, social and digital approach.
On April 21, at a meeting of the Environment Committee, Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans assured that the roadmap for the climate law will remain unchanged, adding that a proposal will be presented for a new emission reduction target, to be met by 2030.
The Commission has presented a 750 billion plan to stimulate the economy for the period 2021-2027, together with the new proposals arrived following the request of the European Parliament: a massive recovery and reconstruction plan with the Green Deal at its center to stimulate the economy and tackling climate change at the same time.
The proposal aims to alleviate the impact of the pandemic for businesses, without forgetting all the efforts made towards sustainability and a greener economy, by asking that 25% of the EU budget for the period 2021-2027 be used for the climatic action.
The package was well received by MEPs, but to enter into force it must be approved by the Council and the European Parliament.
The next steps towards the Green Deal
In order to enter into force, any European law must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Parliament wants the European Union to adopt these climate goals in advance of the UN climate conference COP26, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, but the European Parliament is expected to present its position on the law as early as October.
Stay up to date on the Green Deal timeline here.
Emissions in 2020
The confinement measures imposed have led to a reduction in air pollution throughout Europe, due to the reduction of traffic, travel and all the restrictions imposed on economic activities. In some European cities, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has even been halved. There has been an important reduction in CO2 emissions and, with the decline in electricity demand due to the closure of offices and the suspension of industrial production, the price in the emissions trading system has dropped by 40%.
To learn more about the Green Deal
We recommend these in-depth pages:
- The European Green Deal investment plan
- The action plan for the circular economy
- The biodiversity strategy for 2030
- The ‘farm to fork’ strategy
- The mechanism for a just transition
IMIT, thanks also to its presence in Assotermica, is taking up the challenges of the new Green Deal, promoting new climate comfort technologies both nationally and in Europe, and actively collaborates with other companies of the Association, all characterized by a strong vocation for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
To learn more about our products dedicated to renewable energy, which guarantee user’s energy and economic savings,
browse our website, download our catalog or preview the instruction manuals of our products for home and office comfort. For further requests, send an email to info@imit.it. Our staff will reply as soon as possible.