Under2 Coalition urges EU to invest in an ambitious and effective Fit-for-55 package

28 June 2022, 6:00 UTC 3 min read

We support the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the EU by at least 55% by 2030.

And we urge the Council of the EU and European Parliament to support the Commission’s proposals to set Europe on a responsible path to net zero by 2050.

The proposed Fit-for-55 package is a good starting point. It was presented by the Commission in July 2021 and aims to align the EU’s climate and energy legislative framework with its 2050 climate neutrality objective.

But we need to go further and faster in some areas if we’re to meet our targets.

We’re past the time for talking

We must act now to halve emissions by 2030 if we’re to keep 1.5°C alive and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 [1]. Every single decision, and investment, must have net zero at its centre.

Moving to climate neutrality and renewable energy will deliver long-term security for European businesses. It will protect them from volatile price increases associated with the over reliance of gas and oil imports [2].

But this needs to be a just transition.

The EU must lead the way in integrating a truly just and inclusive transition into the design of all policy measures. And drive investment into environmentally sound solutions and technologies that meet the needs of all people.

The EU holds the keys

Many of the solutions to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C already exist and are being developed and deployed across the world.

This is the time for the EU to be bold and double down on the promise of the Green Deal and invest in delivering an ambitious and effective Fit-for-55 package.

The current proposals provide a solid foundation for the EU to achieve its climate targets. However, we can’t afford to be complacent. Our task is still only just beginning.

We’re in the Climate Decade, where we need to halve emissions by 2030, and we need our leaders to lead from the front by bringing forward ambitious and concrete plans to deliver the European Green Deal.

And states and regions have a crucial role

The Under2 Coalition has been named one of the international partnerships with the highest potential for emissions reductions. This is predicted to be 3.3-3.9GtCO2e / year in 2030. That’s more than the current annual emissions of the EU [3].

And our European members have a huge global footprint. Together they represent 64 million citizens with a combined GDP of over 2.5 trillion euros.

States and regions are already leading the path to decarbonisation. On average they’ve reduced their emissions by 16% from their respective base years. This happened at the same time as global emissions rising by approximately 42% (1990-2015).

While all eyes are on national governments, state and regional governments are increasingly stepping in and stepping up - showing leadership in the face of adversity.

Our collective support should inspire confidence

The ambition set by leading state and regional governments of the Under2 Coalition in Europe should give the EU and Member States the confidence to raise their climate targets and catalyse broader action.

As international leaders on climate action and key actors on implementing the Fit-for-55 package, we stand ready to work closely with the EU and Member States to deliver a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 with greater prosperity and security for all.

With thanks to the support of: