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University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

European Green Deal

A beginning introduction to the European Green Deal and related web and library resources.

What is the European Green Deal?

The European Green Deal is a collection of initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050.  These initiatives target a wide variety of policy areas:

  • Biodiversity
  • Farm to Fork
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Clean energy
  • Sustainable industry
  • Building and renovating
  • Sustainable mobility
  • Eliminating pollution
  • Climate action

Green Deal Explainers

At a Glance

Infographic stating various elements of the Green Deal:

Elements of the European Green Deal

European Commission, 2019

Visual representation of different components of EU investment for the European Green Deal.

Where will the money come from?

European Commission Press Corner, 2020

In December 2015, for the first time all countries worldwide agreed on a collective effort to:  keep global warming well below 2˚C tackle climate change effects 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  The EU has agreed to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030, up from its 40% commitment in 2014.  Its 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.

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

European Council & Council of the EU