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EU Climate Action
February 2024 issue
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Last month, in a nutshell
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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.
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What's new?
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Commission presents recommendation for 2040 emissions reduction target
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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Latest publications
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Upcoming events
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Apply for funding
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Discover the European Climate Pact - #MyWorldOurPlanet
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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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If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly, you can subscribe here. | You can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time on your profile page. | Catalogue Number: ML-AD-24-002-EN-Q
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The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with the Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. Please read the privacy statement.
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ISSN: 2811-8367
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