The European Green Deal: Pathway To Climate Neutrality By 2050.pdf

Lilly Christoforidou, Ph.D., from Christoforidou Consulting, discusses the European Green Deal at a REBUS kick-off meeting on November 10. The Green Deal is a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission aiming to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. It seeks to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% and towards 55% compared with 1990 levels by 2030, paving the way for new legislation on circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming, and innovation.

The Green Deal aims to create a carbon-neutral Europe, focusing on sectors like construction, energy, transport, and food. It includes mechanisms such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to ensure countries reduce greenhouse gas pollution at similar rates. Key principles include prioritizing energy efficiency, developing renewable resources, ensuring affordable energy supply, and creating an integrated digitalized EU energy market.

Supporting mechanisms involve updating climate plans, a circular economy action plan, revising climate-related policies like the Emissions Trading System, and strategies for sustainable mobility and forestry. The InvestEU program will provide significant investment to support these goals.

To reach its targets, the Green Deal emphasizes partnerships with industry and member states, supporting research in transport technologies, clean hydrogen, low-carbon steel making, circular bio-based sectors, and the built environment. It calls for a zero-carbon buildings stock, requiring changes in construction services and solutions, supported by decentralized, efficient energy systems.