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Paris Agreement: the EU's road to climate neutrality

The infographic explains how the EU delivers on the Paris Agreement on climate change

Infographic - Paris Agreement: the EU's road to climate neutrality

In December 2015, for the first time, all countries worldwide agreed on a collective effort to:

  • keep global warming well below 2˚C, trying to limit it to 1.5˚C
  • tackle the effects of climate change

The agreement requires parties to submit national plans to reduce emissions and to review these commitments every 5 years.

  • 2015: Signature and initial national plans
  • 2020: Strategy and updated plans
  • 2023: Global progress review
  • 2025 Updated plans
  • 2028: Global progress review

What the EU pledged

With the launch of the European Green Deal in 2019, the EU committed to cutting its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, up from its 40% commitment in 2014.

The EU’s end goal is to reach climate neutrality by 2050. This will require a transition which should:

  • require action from all sectors of the economy
  • be socially balanced and fair
  • preserve the EU's competitiveness

From words to action

The European climate law, which the EU adopted in 2021, set both the 2030 and 2050 climate goals into legislation.

This means that the EU and its member states are legally obliged to take action to reduce emissions to achieve climate neutrality.

With the Fit for 55 laws, the EU put in place the measures needed to cut its emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and move towards a climate-friendly economy and society. These measures include:

  • boosting renewable energy
  • improving energy efficiency
  • reforming and expanding emissions trading
  • increasing carbon removals
  • making transport more environmentally friendly
  • supporting people in shifting to a greener economy

The EU is already decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, the EU's greenhouse gas emissions were 28.5% lower compared to 1990 levels.

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