In her first State of the Union’s speech on 16 September 2020, the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen expressed Europe’s strong commitment to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, through building a modern and resource-efficient economy. This much-awaited announcement came at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic continues destabilising the Union, its Member States and partner countries with the fear of a prolonged recession. Meanwhile, the European Union reached an agreement to set an overall climate target of 30 % applicable to the total amount of expenditure from the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 and Next Generation EU, the dedicated tool for launching the recovery package.

A green recovery was confirmed as the way forward out of the current crisis. This will require an investment boost in circular economy and clean technologies. The European Commission’s Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for the European Green Deal, stated that:

In this crucial moment for our health, our economy and for global climate action, it is essential that Europe leads the way to a green recovery. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to take action now. Today, Europe is showing the world how we will enhance the wellbeing and prosperity of our citizens in the next decade as we work towards our goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

President von der Leyen further announced the landmark decision to allocate 37 % of Next Generation EU’s EUR 750 billion budget to achieve the Green Deal objectives, and the investment of 30 % of it in green bonds. The capacity to promote innovation and smart technologies will be a key driver in the global transition towards a green economy. The President called to:

(…) form high ambition coalitions on issues such as digital ethics or fighting deforestation – and develop partnerships with all like-minded partners – from Asian democracies to Australia, Africa, the Americas and anyone else who wants to join.

In terms of climate action, the European Commission presented in September a formal proposal to decrease CO₂ emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The proposal is currently being discussed by EU Member States.She acknowledged that: ‘There is no more urgent need for acceleration than when it comes to the future of our fragile planet.’ Taking this very important new step will pave the way for a healthier planet and a cleaner environment.

The above-mentioned first-ever climate proposal for 2030 will now be subject to further consultation and analysis before the European Commission submits legislative proposals in June 2021. Its future implementation will give the Union a stronger position ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. A global response is required since the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation are a shared responsibility with the rest of the world. The Union will continue to promote international objectives and standards and strengthen its green diplomacy.

More recently, President von der Leyen addressed the UN Biodiversity Summit on 30 September 2020. She called for nature loss to be reversed by 2030 and – together with more than 70 world leaders – endorsed the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, which emphasises the need for a new ambitious global biodiversity framework, thereby laying the ground for the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, postponed to 2021. The President reiterated:

Nature helps us in the fight against climate change. But it is also our ally in securing prosperity, combating poverty, hunger and inequalities, and is essential to prevent future zoonotic pandemics. We need to act now and bring nature back into our lives. This is the moment for world leaders to join hands and the EU is ready to lead the way. The European Green Deal is our vision and roadmap. We call on all to join this collective effort to create a common movement of change, to make the recovery green and to protect and restore our planet – the only home we have.

The end of 2020 is at our doorstep and it is time to set out on the long-term path towards the greener world that we aspire to live in, together with our partners in the world, and for the decade ahead.

I wish you a pleasant and interesting read.