EU Climate Action

Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Sassoli and Prime Minister Costa on the EU's political priorities under the Portuguese Presidency.

Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation.

The European Union welcomes the decision by President Biden for the United States to re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change. We are looking forward to having the United States again at our side in leading global efforts to combat the climate crisis.

Speech by President Ursula von der Leyen.

Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans opening remarks at Environment Council.

Following the European Council's endorsement of a new and more ambitious target to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, the EU and its 27 Member States have formally submitted this target as their new nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

A factsheet on the Paris Agreement and the EU's climate diplomacy is available online. For more information on the EU's international action on climate change, see here.

The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has published the 2021 EU ETS auction calendars. The auctions will start on 29 January 2021 with an auction by Germany. The auctions on the common auction platform will start on 1 February 2021 and will also include the volumes for the Innovation Fund and the Modernisation Fund. The first 2021 auction by Poland will take place on 3 February 2021.

The Commission adopted an implementing decision setting out the annual emission allocations (AEAs) for 2021-2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation. Adopting this decision is an important step in ensuring Member States take the right path to achieving an EU-wide emission reduction of 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 in sectors not covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as set out in current legislation.

The Commission adopted an implementing decision setting out the annual emission allocations (AEAs) for 2021-2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation. Adopting this decision is an important step in ensuring Member States take the right path to achieving an EU-wide emission reduction of 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 in sectors not covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as set out in current legislation.

The European Climate Pact – part of the European Green Deal – has joined forces with global climate campaign Count Us In to mobilise millions of people across the EU to take concrete steps to reduce their carbon pollution and catalyse rapid action from leaders.

What if we made our living spaces a story of sustainability and beauty? The New European Bauhaus project will bring together architects, designers, artists and all creative minds to share ideas on how to live better together and in harmony with the planet.

Friday, 1 January 2021, marks the beginning of the European Year of Rail. The European Commission initiative will highlight the benefits of rail as a sustainable, smart and safe means of transport. A variety of activities will put rail in the spotlight throughout 2021 across the continent, to encourage the use of rail by both citizens and businesses and to contribute to the EU Green Deal goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.