The Parliament finally adopted the climate law, which was informally agreed with the Member States in April, with 442 votes in favour, 203 against and 51 abstentions. This decision will give European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for the transition decided on with the European Green Deal. After 2050, the EU will target negative emissions.
The new European climate law increases the EU’s target for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. In addition, an upcoming Commission proposal on the LULUCF Regulation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use (land use change and forestry), it will increase the EU’s carbon sinks and thus increase the EU’s target for 2030 to 57% de facto.
The Commission will present a proposal for a new target for 2040 not later thans six months after the first comprehensive review in 2023 under the Paris Agreement. In line with Parliament’s proposal, the Commission will publish the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that the EU can emit up to 2050 without endangering the EU’s commitments under the agreement. This so-called "greenhouse gas budget" will be one of the criteria for setting the revised EU target for 2040.
By 30 September 2023, and every five years thereafter, the Commission will assess the collective progress made by all EU countries, as well as the coherence of national measures, towards the EU climate neutrality target by 2050.
Given the importance of independent scientific advice, and on the basis of a proposal from Parliament, a European Scientific Advisory Committee on Climate Change will be established to monitor progress and assess whether European policy is consistent with these objectives