EUROPEAN CLIMATE LAW & EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL
By: EOJOURIAN & GEORGIOU LLC
The European Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a European climate law, setting the objective to become climate-neutral by 2050 and establishing a framework for achieving that objective.
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
•Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter.
•Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
•Areas with weak health infrastructure and mostly in developing countries will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond.
•Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy-use choices can result in improved health, particularly through reduced air pollution.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change affects all regions around the world. Polar ice shields are melting, and the sea is rising. In some regions extreme weather events and rainfall are becoming more common while others are experiencing more extreme heat waves and droughts .
Although global warming may bring some localized benefits, such as fewer winter deaths in temperate climates and increased food production in certain areas, the overall health effects of a changing climate are overwhelmingly negative. Climate change affects many of the social and environmental determinants of health, for example, clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter.
WHAT IS THE NEW LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL?
On the 4th of March 2020, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a European climate law, setting the objective for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050 and establishing a framework for achieving that objective. The Commission would be empowered to set out an emissions trajectory for the period between 2030 and 2050.
The proposed regulation would also require EU institutions and Member States to build on their climate change measures. The Commission would have to carry out five-yearly assessments aligned with the review cycle of the Paris Agreement and of the progress made towards the objectives and of the consistency of national and EU measures with the objectives. It would be required to take corrective action and could issue recommendations to Member States whose measures were inconsistent with the emissions trajectory. Moreover, the Commission would have to ensure broad public participation.
On 17 September 2020, following an impact assessment presented in the 2030 climate target plan, the Commission amended the proposal to introduce the updated 2030 climate target of a net reduction of at least 55 % of the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to 1990 levels. In the European Parliament, the proposal has been referred to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The Parliament adopted its position on 6 October 2020, calling for a 60 % emissions reduction by 2030 .
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
The Climate Action plan (hereinafter called ‘the European Green Deal’), provides an action plan to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy, and restore biodiversity and cut pollution. The European Green Deal is considered as a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. It is scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow from 1 to 12 November 2021 under the presidency of the United Kingdom.
WHAT IS THE AIM?
The aim of the European Green Deal is for the European Union to become the world's first “climate-neutral bloc” by 2050. It has goals extending to many different sectors, including construction, biodiversity, energy, transport, and food .
WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED?
The European Green Deal includes:
•European Climate Law;
•European Climate Pact;
•2030 Target Plan;
•EU strategy on Climate Adaptation.
WHAT IS THE KEY LEGISLATION AND POLICIES?
•EU Emissions Trading System to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, industry and flights within the EU;
•National targets for sectors outside emissions trading, such as transport, buildings and agriculture;
•Ensuring our forests and land contribute to the fight against climate change;
•Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, e.g., through CO2 emission standards for vehicles;
•Boosting energy efficiency, renewable energy and governance of EU countries’ energy and climate policies;
•Promoting innovative low-carbon technologies;
•Phasing down climate-warming fluorinated greenhouse gases;
•Protecting the ozone layer;
•Adapting to the impacts of climate change; and
•Funding climate action
The Climate Law contains action plan measures, for governance policies of a Member State of the EU, national energy, and climate plans, which are reportable to the European Environment Agency. The steps undertaken will be subject of review under the Paris Agreement which works on a 5- year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries and their plans for climate action known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are submitted.
In Cyprus, on 13th of November 2020, the Council of Ministers approved the National Governance System for the European Green Deal in Cyprus, and the implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans’ (NECPs) was introduced under the Regulation on the governance of the energy union climate action (EU/2018/1999) which will be enforced for the years 2021- 2030.
As it was well stated in the campaign of the Green Deal, ‘From Farm to Fork’; which means that pollution has many and serious implications to human health, deriving from the polluted and toxic environment. The chemicals can move through air, soil, and water. They can also be on plants or animals, and can get into the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink.
In order to promote environmental awareness, we must learn to respect, protect and preserve the natural world from the harm caused by humans. We are all at risk this is why we need to accelerate and shift to sustainable development, environmentally friendly food system, restore the ecosystem and enjoy a toxic-free environment.
If you are a business or an individual make sure you are always aware of your Green Law rights before proceeding with any housing developments, factory designs, agricultural investments, and other related activities.
Please do not print this content unless it is necessary. Every unprinted material helps the environment.
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