Climate change is an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the EU has a clear vision as part of the European Green Deal. Europe will transform the Union into an economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.
JRC studies the effects of climate change. Check out our video explaining what will happen if we do nothing.
Today CO2 is the main greenhouse gas. Energy is key because it is responsible for more than 90% of the CO2 emissions. More information on energy and related greenhouse gases is available in the EU's interactive energy statistics.
By 2030, the EU plans to cut emissions by at least 55%. By 2050, the EU wants to reach net-zero greenhouse gases. In most scenarios, CO2 needs to reduce faster than other greenhouse gases in which case the EU would reach net-zero CO2 much earlier, closer to 2040. In short, we need to create an almost CO2-free energy system in the next 20 years!
The European Climate Pact is an EU-wide initiative inviting people, communities and organisations to participate in climate action and build a greener Europe.