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EU Climate Action

February 2024 issue

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Last month, in a nutshell

Welcome to the February issue of our newsletter! Here are the latest EU climate news highlights.

At the start of the month, the European Commission published a recommendation for a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, kick-starting discussions with all stakeholders which will help the next Commission to present a legislative proposal. Setting a 2040 climate target will increase predictability on the way to net zero emissions by mid-century, helping European industry, investors, citizens and governments make informed decisions while boosting Europe's resilience against future crises.  

In addition to reducing our emissions, reaching climate neutrality by 2050 requires capturing CO2 or removing it from the atmosphere, then storing and utilising it – and the Commission sets out ways to do so in its newly released Industrial Carbon Management Communication. Thanks to inter-institutional agreements reached this month, the deployment of carbon removals and clean tech manufacturing in Europe was given an extra boost. 

The Commission has also received bids from all over the continent under its pilot auction for renewable hydrogen production, invested into the implementation of the European Green Deal on the ground via the LIFE programme, and approved multi-billion state aid schemes to decarbonise industry and increase the supply of renewable hydrogen.

What's new?

Commission presents recommendation for 2040 emissions reduction target

On 6 February, the European Commission published a detailed impact assessment on possible pathways to reach the agreed goal of making the European Union climate neutral by 2050. Based on this assessment, the Commission recommends a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, launching a discussion with all stakeholders.

 
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Commission sets out how to sustainably capture, store and use carbon to reach climate neutrality by 2050

The Commission has adopted an Industrial Carbon Management Communication detailing how technologies to capture CO2 or remove it directly from the atmosphere, and then store or utilise it, could contribute to reducing emissions by 90% by 2040 and reaching the EU's 2050 climate target.

 
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Industrial Carbon Management interactive stories: a new tool to discover EU-funded projects in the CCUS sector

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has launched a new digital tool that allows viewers to interactively discover how the EU funding is distributed across the CCUS (carbon dioxide capture, utilisation and storage) sector!

 
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Deal struck on an EU-wide certification scheme for carbon removals

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the first EU-wide voluntary framework for the certification of high-quality carbon removals. This will boost innovative carbon removal technologies and carbon farming across our continent.

 
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Political agreement on the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)

The Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Net-Zero Industry Act. This will make clean technology manufacturing in the EU more resilient and competitive.

 
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Commission invests over €233 million in Strategic Environment and Climate Projects across Europe

The Commission is investing over €233 million in twelve new Strategic Projects across Europe under the LIFE programme to support the implementation of the EU's environmental and climate ambitions under the European Green Deal.

 
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European Hydrogen Bank pilot auction: 132 bids received from 17 European countries

The pilot auction under the European Hydrogen Bank, which will boost renewable hydrogen production in Europe, has attracted 132 bids from projects located in 17 European countries. The total support requested far exceeds the currently available budget of €800 million, provided by the Innovation Fund.

 
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Commission approves up to €6.9 billion of State aid for hydrogen value chain project

The Commission has approved a third Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support hydrogen infrastructure. This IPCEI is expected to boost the supply of renewable hydrogen, thereby reducing dependency on natural gas and helping to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan.

 
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Commission approves €4 billion German State aid scheme to help industries decarbonise production processes

The Commission has approved a €4 billion German scheme to help companies which are subject to the EU Emission Trading System (‘ETS') decarbonise their industrial production processes. The measure contributes to achieving Germany's climate and energy targets, as well as the EU's strategic objectives of the European Green Deal.

 
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Let’s celebrate! The European Covenant of Mayors turns 15

15 years since the first Covenant of Mayors ceremony, the initiative prepares for a new era in which implementation of the European Green Deal at local level will take centre stage.

 
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#ForOurPlanet campaign - Big changes often start small

The #ForOurPlanet campaign is back! The EU campaign addresses the climate and nature crises across the globe, and together with EU Delegations and European Commission Representations, it encourages citizens and civil society to take action for the planet, from planting trees to restoring wetlands, or just greening your home. This global campaign shows that every action can make a difference.

 
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Citizens’ Engagement Platform: Have your say on energy efficiency

The Commission has launched a new 'Citizens’ Engagement Platform' as an online forum for people to share their views, experiences and ideas on topical issues related to EU policies. The first topic for debate is energy efficiency.

 
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Climate Pact: New tools to take climate action!

The Climate Pact has launched a set of new tools to involve friends, colleagues or neighbours in the fight against climate change. You can organise group activities focusing on climate action – just choose one or more from the following ideas: climate walks, photo story workshops, local climate action groups, or peer parliaments!

 
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Social media highlights

The trend is clear: the planet is warming 🌍🌡️ | LinkedIn

The first days of February have proven to be the hottest on record since 1940, with surface air temperatures reaching over 13.5°C – something never before seen at this time of year.

 
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International Day of Women and Girls in Science | X

To all the #WomenInScience leading the fight against climate change, thank you! 💚👩‍🏫👩‍🔬👩‍🚀 Let's continue to empower women and girls in STEM, for a more equal and sustainable world. 🔬🌍

 
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Latest publications

The Commission presented a recommendation for an EU climate target for 2040: what does science say about getting there?

JRC scientists assessed the socio-economic impact, developed energy scenarios on decarbonisation, investigated land use and forest sinks, analysed higher raw materials demand, and provided evidence on the cost of inaction.

 
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CO2 transport infrastructure: key to achieving climate neutrality by 2050

A new JRC study sheds light on how capturing carbon emissions from industry, as well as storing or using them, will contribute to achieving the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goal.

 
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Prolonged drought and record temperatures have critical impact in the Mediterranean

Severe and prolonged drought events have affected Europe for more than two years and northern Africa for six years, causing water shortages and hampering vegetation growth, according to a report by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

 
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Upcoming events

The European Climate Pact: Community Driving the Change

Join us online for a debate between European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra and European Climate Pact Ambassadors to explore how the Pact Community on the ground can shape the way forward for EU climate action!

Date
date 05/03/2024
Venue
venue Online
 
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1st European Carbon Farming Summit

The EU Carbon Farming Summit is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about sustainability, climate change mitigation and regenerative agriculture. Join online for the plenary sessions to discover cutting-edge strategies, innovative technologies, and actionable insights from experts!

Date
date 06/03/2024 - 07/03/2024
Venue
venue Online
 
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Conference for Mayors “Translating the EU Green Deal into local action”, as part of the Belgian EU Presidency

Holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024, the government of the Flanders region of Belgium is inviting 550 mayors ‘Fit for 55’ to highlight the way forward for EU Green Deal’s supportive initiatives for local governments, based on practical experiences.

Date
date 15/03/2024
Venue
venue Brussels (Belgium)
 
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Cleantech Conference 2024: Driving Sustainable Innovation

This year’s Cleantech Conference will explore European manufacturing of cleantech devices and their components such as renewable energy technologies, batteries, electrolysers, and heat-pumps. The event will gather high-level representatives of EU Institutions such as the Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, the private sector, and Innovation Fund supported projects. Don’t miss out on gaining valuable insights on the future of EU Cleantech manufacturing! Registration closes on 31 March.

Date
date 11/04/2024
Venue
venue De Gasperi Room (Charlemagne Building), Brussels (Belgium) and Online
 
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4th EU Carbon Removals Expert Group meeting

The next Carbon Removals Expert Group meeting will take place online to discuss the certification framework; certification process, verification, and registries; carbon farming; permanent removals and long-term storage in products. The agenda will be published soon!

Date
date 15/04/2024 - 17/04/2024
 
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European elections

Between 6–9 June 2024, millions of Europeans will participate in shaping the future of European democracy on the occasion of the European elections. It is a unique moment when we can all collectively decide on the future of the European Union, and an excellent opportunity to have your say on topics you care about!

Date
date 06/06/2024 - 09/06/2024
 
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Apply for funding

New funding opportunity for your city's clean energy transition

The European City Facility has opened a new funding opportunity for up to 75 municipalities or local authorities, their groupings and local public entities aggregating municipalities / local authorities. This funding is designed to support clean energy and energy efficiency projects, offering simple lump-sum grants of €60,000 each.

Deadline
Deadline 15/03/2024
 
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Communities for Climate: Local action to respond to climate change

The European Commission has launched the Communities for Climate (C4C) pilot action, designed to empower local communities across Europe to take meaningful steps towards addressing climate change. C4C will support 50 local projects located in the eleven eligible EU countries. The call for submissions is open until 3 April 2024.

Deadline
Deadline 03/04/2024
 
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Commission opens €4 billion call for proposals for net-zero technologies under the Innovation Fund

The Commission has opened the Innovation Fund's 2023 call for proposals with a record budget of €4 billion to support the deployment of innovative decarbonisation technologies.

Deadline
Deadline 09/04/2024
 
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Discover the European Climate Pact - #MyWorldOurPlanet

Launched by the European Commission, the Pact is part of the European Green Deal and is helping the EU to meet its goal to become climate-neutral by 2050 | Check out the links below to visit the Pact website and subscribe to the Pact newsletter!

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See also European Climate Pact newsletter

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ISSN: 2811-8367