Commission launches the Fit for 55% Package

The European Commission has launched the first tranche of its 'Fit for 55%' measures that will support Europe’s climate policy framework and put the EU on track for a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050. The interconnected proposals cover areas of climate, land use, energy, transport and taxation to bring them into line with the targets agreed in the European Climate Law.

The package is comprised of thirteen proposals; eight of them are revisions to existing laws and five are new proposals.

Revisions

• Revision to the EU Emission Trading Scheme, to lower the overall emissions cap per economic sector, phase out free emission allowances for aviation, and include shipping for the first time;
• Revision to the Effort Sharing Regulation, assigning stronger reduction targets for each Member State in building, road, domestic maritime transport, agriculture, waste and small industry sectors;
• Revision to the Regulation on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry, setting an overall EU target for carbon removals by natural sinks and setting national targets;
• Amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive, setting a new 2030 target of 40% (up from 32%) energy use from renewables by 2030 and strengthening bioenergy sustainability criteria;
• Amendment of the Energy Efficiency Directive setting a more ambitious binding annual target at EU level, raised from 32.5% to 36%;
• Amendment of the regulation setting CO2 emission standards for cars and vans requiring average emissions of new cars to come down by 55% from 2021 to 2030 and net-zero by 2035;
• Revision to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive to require aircraft and ships have access to clean energy supply in major ports and airports.
• Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive to align taxation of energy products with climate policies and promote clean technologies.

New initiatives

• An EU Forest Strategy to improve quality, quantity and resilience of EU forests, ensure sustainable use of biomass, and plant three billion trees by 2030;
• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to place a carbon price on imports and prevent EU companies being undercut by energy-intensive competitors;
• A Social Climate Fund to help citizens finance investment in energy efficiency, clean mobility and renewable energy;
• The ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative to oblige fuel suppliers to blend more sustainable aviation fuels in jet fuel, including e-fuels;
• The FuelEU Maritime Initiative to stimulate uptake of sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies.

Further proposals and amendments are expected at the end of 2021, including a revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and new Climate, Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines.

More information and all documentation on the Fit for 55% package can be found at the Commission's webpage on 'Delivering the European Green Deal'.