President von der Leyen to present new EU emissions reduction target to international partners at ‘High Ambition Summit’
European Commission Factsheet Brussels, 11 Dec 2020 Higher Climate Ambition For Europe and the World
Today, EU Heads of State or Government approved a new and more ambitious net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 55% for 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The Commission had proposed this new target in September 2020, to put the EU on a balanced path towards climate neutrality by 2050. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I am delighted that, together with the German Presidency, we were able today to reach an agreement on the proposal for a new EU climate target. We will reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Today’s agreement puts us on a clear path towards climate neutrality in 2050. It gives certainty to investors, to businesses, to public authorities and to citizens. It future-proofs our Union. All EU countries should benefit from the transition – with economic growth, a cleaner environment, and healthier citizens. The European Green Deal will be our growth strategy.” Making Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050 is the main objective of the European Green Deal, the EU’s new growth strategy which was adopted one year ago today. The new target EU leaders have committed to is a necessary step towards climate neutrality and provides much needed certainty to our economies. Following the EU’s leadership, governments around the world have made a number of important announcements to boost the fight against climate change in recent months. Tomorrow, President von der Leyen will present the new EU target to other global leaders, along with President Charles Michel and a few other European leaders, at the High Ambition Summit held to mark the five year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the countdown to the COP26 in Glasgow next year. A factsheet on the Paris Agreement and EU climate diplomacy and a factsheet on the first anniversary of the European Green Deal are available online. The President’s full remarks following the European Council are available to read and watch back online. (For more information: Vivian Loonela – Tel.: +32 229 66712; Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229 58602; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel: +32 229 74959; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel: +32 229 81325; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)
