The European Green Deal comprises a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission to make the European Union climate-neutral by 2050, meaning that the EU aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This requires a significant reduction in emissions and any remaining emissions by 2050 must be captured or compensated for, for instance by forests or new technologies. The EU would thereby become the first climate-neutral continent in the world.
To achieve this, the European Green Deal sets specific objectives, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 50% by 2030, reducing the EU's dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthening biodiversity, all aimed at meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Green Deal also includes measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as enhancing society's resilience to extreme weather conditions and reducing the risks of natural disasters. Additionally, economic and social measures are being taken to promote the transition to a sustainable economy.
Finally, the EU has established several financing instruments to support the implementation of the European Green Deal, such as the Just Transition Mechanism, which is designed to help workers and communities that rely on traditional energy and industrial sectors.