European Union
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The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030. By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society.[1]
Legal Framework[edit]
Regional Level:
- Human Rights: Articles 2, 3(5) and 21 of the Treaty of the European Union
- Environmental protection: Article 37 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from ambitiously cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment. First climate action initiatives under the Green Deal include:
- European Climate Law to enshrine the 2050 climate-neutrality objective into EU law
- European Climate Pact to engage citizens and all parts of society in climate action
- 2030 Climate Target Plan to further reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030
- EU Strategy on Climate Adaptation to make Europe a climate-resilient society by 2050, fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
International Level:
Cases[edit]
- Carvalho v. The European Parliament and the Council
- People's Climate Case
- ClientEarth v. European Investment Bank
Resources[edit]
- The Hydrocarbon Toolkit by The Good Lobby & Food and Water Europe (2017) contains legal arguments for fighting against unconventional fossil fuels in the European Union.