European Green Deal

Question 1

Two major decisions?

Answer 1

1) Climate neutrality

2) Emission reduction

Question 2

What action has been taken by EU on climate neutrality?

Answer 2

The EU has promised to bring a law, binding on all member countries, to ensure it becomes “climate neutral” by 2050.

Climate neutrality, sometimes also expressed as a state of net-zero emissions is achieved when a country’s emissions are balanced by absorptions and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Absorption can be increased by creating more carbon sinks like forests, while removal involves technologies like carbon capture and storage.

The EU is now the first major emitter to agree to the 2050 climate neutrality target. It has said it would bring a proposal by March next year on a European law to enshrine this target.

Question 3

Emission reduction related decision?

Answer 3

The second decision pertains to an increase in its 2030 emission reduction target.

In its climate action plan declared under the Paris Agreement, the EU was committed to making a 40 per cent reduction in its emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

It is now promising to increase this reduction to at least 50 per cent and work towards 55 per cent.

Even at 40 per cent, the European Union had the most ambitious emission reduction targets among the developed countries.