The European Union has consistently aimed to improve the wellbeing of citizens, through peace, the single market and protection of rights and the environment.
Faced with a rapidly changing climate, the incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen decided to lead the political guidelines for the new European Commission with the aim of a climate neutral continent by 2050.
The incoming President sets this against the background of a Union that also aims to make the most of Europe’s potential, defend Europe’s values, be a responsible leader in the world, and push for greater European democracy.
Addressing climate change is integral to, but also unachievable without, this wider set of aims.
E3G is developing a portfolio of thematic briefings to support the action of the new Commission.
Action on climate must be integrated with action for the economy and society. It must be visible in how we drive innovation, develop finance and regulate markets and competition. It must be embedded in action on social wellbeing, particularly by working towards a just transition, and how we deliver climate protection to citizens. And it must be visible in EU diplomacy.
To make delivery of net zero happen, the EU needs:
- A vision of what success looks like and how we get there;
- A system of tracking or observing progress, reporting back and learning;
- A policy portfolio at EU and national/local level to deliver.
Below are links to the thematic briefings E3G has been developing for this important area of work.
E3G Series: towards a climate neutral EU
Advancing Sustainable Finance: Priorities for Europe (PDF)
Advancing Sustainable Finance: Priorities for Europe (Summary article)
An EU agenda for climate security (Blog)
Pro-consumer, Pro-Climate: A new EU Agenda for Natural Gas (PDF)
Pro-consumer, Pro-Climate: A new EU Agenda for Natural Gas (Summary article)
The Race to Decarbonise Industry: How to Keep the EU in Pole Position (PDF)
The Race to Decarbonise Industry: How to Keep the EU in Pole Position (Summary article)
The Race to Decarbonise Industry: How to Keep the EU in Pole Postion (PDF- German)
The Race to Decarbonise Industry: How to Keep the EU in Pole Position (Summary article – German)
EU Energy System Transformation: The Agenda for the next Commission (PDF)
EU Energy System Transformation: The Agenda for the next Commission (Summary article)
Managing Climate Risk for a Safer Future: A New Resilience Agenda for Europe (PDF)
How should the next EU Commission’s agenda on climate resilience look? (Blog)
Reducing Climate Risk in the Post-2020 EU Budget (PDF)
Reducing Climate Risk in the Post-2020 EU Budget (Summary article)
The EU Long-term Strategy as an Opportunity for Just Transition (PDF)
The EU Long-term Strategy as an Opportunity for Just Transition (Summary article)
