Jutta Paulus from the Green Party has criticised the Green Deal to rnd.de. However, as the subject of the Green Deal is so extensive and involves so many laws, it is worth taking a closer look.
Why are we looking at the Green Deal in more detail?
The European Green Deal is an EU package of measures introduced by the Commission in December 2019 that aims to drive a green transition and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. It aims to promote a fair and prosperous society with a modern and competitive economy. The Green Deal’s approach is holistic and cross-sectoral, as it encompasses various policy areas such as climate, environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and sustainable finance.
It has set itself the ambitious goal of making the European Union the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This project requires a comprehensive and integrative approach that takes equal account of environmental, economic and social dimensions. In order to grasp the complex and multi-faceted nature of this endeavour, a detailed and thorough analysis is required.
The environmental component of the European Green Deal includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity and restore damaged ecosystems. This also includes initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
At an economic level, the Green Deal aims to promote sustainable growth while strengthening the competitiveness of the EU economy. This includes investing in green technologies, creating new jobs in sustainable sectors and supporting companies in
switching to more environmentally friendly production methods. The promotion of research and innovation also plays a central role.
The social dimension of the Green Deal is equally important, as the transition to a climate-neutral economy will have a profound impact on society. This includes measures to ensure a just transition that reduces social inequalities and involves all citizens in the transformation process. Education and skills programmes will ensure that the workforce is equipped to meet the new demands of the green economy.
Because the European Green Deal encompasses so many different areas and laws, we were unable to provide a sufficient description of what the Green Deal actually is as part of the Factcheck.
The goals of the European Green Deal
The main objectives of the European Green Deal are a climate-neutral EU by 2050 and the decoupling of economic growth and resource consumption. The following eight key areas are included:
1. Increasing the EU’s climate protection targets for 2030 and 2050
2. Provision of clean, affordable and secure energy
3. Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy
4. Energy and resource efficient construction and renovation
5. Zero pollution as a goal for a toxic-free environment
6. Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity
7. From producer to consumer: a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system
8. Accelerating the transition to sustainable and smart mobility
Our research
We encountered a few difficulties during our research. Firstly, it was quite difficult to find the current status of the Green Deal at a glance. Although there is a lot of information on the European Commission’s website, it is mainly about the measures and objectives of the Green Deal. However, there is a lack of clear and concise presentations that summarise the progress and results achieved so far in a detailed and understandable way. Furthermore, the Commission only reports on successful measures and progress, but there is a lack of transparency on the website regarding failed projects and internal conflicts.
RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Lennart Jannemann and Michelle Ramm, Jade Univefsity of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven, Germany
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