Fit for 55

Fit for 55 is a package by the European Union designed to reduce the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.[1] It is part of the union's strategy of the European Green Deal presented first in December 2019.[2]

The package was proposed in July 2021 by the European Commission.[3] After being tabled in 2021, the plans were passed in 2023.[4] Measures include additional support for clean transport, renewables, and a tariff called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on emissions for high-carbon imports from countries lacking sufficient greenhouse gas reduction measures of their own.[1] It proposes to extend the European Union Emissions Trading System to transport and heat. Compared to the net-zero scenario from the International Energy Agency, the plan contains more measures to ensure that energy remains affordable.[5]

Legislation

The legislation is complicated due to the high level of democratic processes in the European union. The commission sent proposals of the new law to the council and European parliament. The council started discussions including representatives of all 27 member states on the legislative proposals in working parties on an expert level. Based on that exchange the Permanent Representative Committee continues discussions preparing the ground for the council meeting of ministers. The Fit for 55 package proposals are discussed in multiple council formations such as environment, energy, transport, economy and finance. After the ministers of each branch found joint positions trilogues including meetings with representatives of the council, parliament and commission start. The larger part of the proposals stick to the regular legislative process of trilogues.[6]

Aspects

  • emissions trade
  • social climate fund
  • carbon border adjustment mechanism
  • Members emission reduction
  • land use and forestry
  • transportation CO2 standards
  • methane reduction
  • alternative fuels
  • green energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • sustainable buildings
  • hydrogen
  • Energy taxation[7]

Process

When the bill for carbon market legislation was designed, the conservative fraction in the European Parliament initially weakened the bill. The amended bill was defeated as the social democrats voted against. The final accepted compromise became stronger in CO2 emission reduction than the proposal from the European Commission.[8]

Criticism

The environmental organization Greenpeace criticized the package for not being suitable for halting global warming and the associated destruction of important life-support systems because the target envisaged was too low. The organization criticized the classification of bioenergy as renewable energy and the sale of non-emission-free cars by 2035.[9]

Employment impact

The EU's Fit for 55 climate package is projected to create a net 204,000 jobs by 2030, adding to the baseline growth of 6.7 million jobs. Employment effects will vary by region, with negative impacts likely in eastern Europe due to reliance on carbon-intensive industries, and positive impacts in regions with green energy infrastructure.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Oroschakoff, Kalina (21 June 2021). "5 things to know about EU's Fit for 55 climate package". POLITICO. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ European Comission (11 December 2019). "The European Green Deal". ec.europa.eu/.
  3. ^ "Q&A: How 'Fit for 55' reforms will help EU meet its climate goals". Carbon Brief. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Commission welcomes completion of key 'Fit for 55' legislation, putting EU on track to exceed 2030 targets". European Commission Press release. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ^ Pavlovic, Ivan (12 November 2021). "Comparing the EU's 'Fit for 55' roadmap and the IEA's net-zero scenario". Euractiv.
  6. ^ European Council (3 May 2023). "Infographic - Fit for 55: how the EU will turn climate goals into law". www.consilium.europa.eu/en. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  7. ^ European council. "Fit for 55". www.consilium.europa.eu/. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Mohammed Chahim". Politico. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  9. ^ "EU Commission 'Fit for 55' package unfit to contain climate crisis". Greenpeace European Unit. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Fit for 55 climate package: Impact on EU employment by 2030 | European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions". www.eurofound.europa.eu. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

Sources

  • "2022 Fit for 55". European Council, Council of the European Union. 2022. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.


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