The European Climate Law is the cornerstone of the European Green Deal as for the very first time it enshrines into legislation the Union’s objective of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest. Thanks to the great effort and commitment put forward by the Socialists and Democrats, the EU is moving away from the coal and steel union to become the world’s first climate neutral region.

Climate Law rapporteur and S&D coordinator, Jytte Guteland, commented:

“This is an important victory for the climate and for our future. With the approval of the 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, the European Parliament takes a firm position to make Europe’s climate efforts more in line with science and our citizens who want Europe to reach the climate neutrality objective and respect the Paris Agreement.

“It’s now time to launch negotiations with the European Commission and the EU Council with a clear message: we expect all member states to put the binding targets of climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest into law.

“We want to express our satisfaction for the wide support achieved on our proposal to adopt a greenhouse gas budget, which sets out the total remaining quantity of greenhouse gas emissions as CO2 equivalent that could be emitted until 2050 at the latest, without putting at risk the Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

“Last but not least, we also set up an independent Climate Council at European level: the European Climate Change Council (ECCC), which - with the creation of climate advisory bodies at member states’ level - will assess together whether the EU is on track to achieve the climate neutrality objective and identify opportunities to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the carbon sequestration potential.

“This battle is not over yet - a battle on wanting Europe to be on the right side of history for climate neutrality and a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable future.”

S&D vice-president responsible for the European Green Deal, Miriam Dalli, added:

“There is no time left for political rhetoric. Today, with the approval of the 60% reduction of CO2 by 2030, the European Parliament has proven it is serious and ready to negotiate with the EU Commission and member states to pave together a sustainable path to eventually reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Climate change threats won't disappear on their own. Climate change threats won't be solved by individual actions taken by single member states. Only together, only by taking bold decisions, can we arrive at a situation where the European Union as a whole has net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“To this end, we have worked to set a new climate target for 2040 in order to give citizens, industries and member states a clearer idea of the direction we want to take.

“The S&D Group has been at the forefront of pushing for a Climate Law for the past year. We were the first political group to come up with a very strong position to make sure that the EU could rely on an ambitious, progressive and realistic Climate Law where no one would feel left behind.”