On 16 September 2020, the European Commission presented its plan to reduce the EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels and tabled an amendment to the proposed European Climate Law.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “We are doing everything in our power to keep the promise that we made to Europeans: make Europe the first climate neutral continent in the world, by 2050. Today marks a major milestone in this journey. With the new target to cut EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, we will lead the way to a cleaner planet and a green recovery.”

The new target is based on a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts. The impact assessment clearly shows that meeting this target would put the EU firmly on track for climate neutrality by 2050 and for meeting the Paris Agreement obligations. The 2030 target is ambitious, achievable, and beneficial for Europe and the European Green Deal is the blueprint to make that transformation.

Achieving 55 percent of greenhouse gas emissions reductions will require action in all sectors of the economy. CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Together with fugitive non-CO2 emissions in the energy system, they are responsible for just over 75 of EU greenhouse gas emissions. This underlines the energy system's central role in the transition to a climate neutral economy. Buildings and transport are, alongside industry, the main energy users and source of emissions. Decarbonising both energy supply and demand is key to achieving climate neutrality.

The Commission has invited the Parliament and Council to confirm this 55 percent target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. The Commission has set out the legislative proposals to be presented by June 2021 to implement the new target, including for land use emissions; reinforcing energy efficiency and renewable energy policies; and strengthening CO2 standards for road vehicles.

The new 2030 climate target will help to focus Europe's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as well, by investing in a resource-efficient circular economy, promoting innovation in clean technology and creating green jobs.