On Thursday 10 March, MEPs adopted their final position on the EU’s comprehensive environmental action programme for 2030 (8th EAP), which aims to accelerate the EU’s transition to a climate-neutral, clean, circular economy founded on well-being, and to establish an improved governance framework for monitoring progress.
By a large majority (553 votes in favour, 130 against and 7 abstentions), the European Parliament endorsed the political agreement reached with the EU Council in December 2021, following inter-institutional negotiations (see EUROPE 12851/8).
The 8th EAP sets out the six priority thematic targets to be achieved by 2030 to live ‘within the limits of our planet’, as set out in the ‘European Green Deal’.
The European Commission will monitor and evaluate the progress made by the EU and Member States in achieving the priority objectives and report annually.
A mid-term review of the 8th EAP will be carried out by 31 March 2024 and, if necessary to achieve the priority objectives, a legislative proposal with a list of additional actions should be presented by the Commission for the period after 2025.
The text provides for a binding framework to monitor and report on Member States’ progress in phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. A deadline will be set consistent with the ambition to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The European Commission will present a methodology to identify other environmentally harmful subsidies by 2023.
“The 8th EAP makes an economy of wellbeing a priority goal for 2030. This is a first in EU legislation and an important step away from the obsessive and unsustainable goal of GDP growth”, welcomed the rapporteur, Grace O’Sullivan (Greens/EFA, Ireland).
Once adopted by the EU Council, this legal text will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)