Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (‘European Climate Law’)

What it is

to establish the framework to enable the EU to achieve climate neutrality (European Climate Law) and to set a pathway for the EU to follow in all its actions. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: this proposal is a continuation of the ‘ European Green Deal ’ which reaffirms the Commission’s ambition to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In its Communication of 28 November 2018 ‘A clean planet for all’, the Commission already set out its strategic long-term vision of a Union with zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through a socially fair and cost efficient transition. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Jytte GUTELAND (S&D, SE) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law). The European Climate Law is the cornerstone of the European Green Deal as it enshrines into legislation the Union’s objective to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest. The EU is currently responsible for 10 % of the world’s emission of greenhouse gases. The climate-neutrality objective is limited to emissions from Union production. The committee recommended that the European Parliament adopt its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure by amending the Commission proposal. The proposed Regulation seeks to establish a framework for the irreversible, predictable and swift reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhancement of removals by natural or other sinks in the Union in line with the Union’s climate and environmental objectives. In order to ensure that Member States uphold their commitments under the Paris Agreement, the proposed Regulation sets out a binding objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 at the latest. The report stated that Union-wide anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases regulated in Union law shall be balanced in the Union at the latest by 2050, thus achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by that date. Each Member State shall endeavour to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest. The relevant Union institutions and the Member States shall take the necessary measures based on the best available, up-to-date science and provide support at Union and at national, regional and local level respectively, to enable the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective, taking into account the importance of promoting fairness and solidarity and a just transition among Member States, social and economic cohesion, the protection of vulnerable Union citizens and the importance of managing, restoring, protecting and enhancing marine and terrestrial biodiversity, ecosystems and carbon sinks. As from 1 January 2051, removals of greenhouse gases by sinks shall exceed anthropogenic emissions in the Union and…

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