The European Commission has reached a deal on new European wide climate change targets that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
They have also pledged that by 2050 Europe will seek to achieve negative carbon emissions, and have also committed to establishing a European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change to provide independent advice.
Whilst the Commission have agreed to these targets, it still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and Council before coming law officially.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission said: "I warmly welcome the agreement on the Climate Law. Our political commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is now also a legal one. The Climate Law sets the EU on a green path for a generation. It is our binding pledge to our children and grandchildren."
Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans commented: “This is a landmark moment for the EU. We have reached an ambitious agreement to write our climate neutrality target into binding legislation, as a guide to our policies for the next 30 years. The Climate Law will shape the EU’s green recovery and ensure a socially just green transition.”
