European Climate Law amendment

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) emphasizes the urgent need for climate action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change - losses and damages - from affecting societies and, ultimately, the EU population. The EESC views the European Climate Law as a key instrument in achieving this goal.

EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.3% in 2023, compared to 2022. Net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are now 37% below 1990 levels. Over the same period, EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 68%. This highlights the strategic role played by the European Climate Law and points to the fact that reducing emissions and economic growth are compatible. The EU remains on track to reach its goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

However, it is also true that CO₂ levels emitted into the atmosphere have continued to rise globally, with a new peak being reached in 2023. And the effects of climate change continue to materialize in the form of extreme weather events and slow onset events.

public debate has shifted due to the geopolitical context of recent months towards economic competitiveness, reindustrialisation and defense policy, the climate crisis is still present and will continue to do much harm if we do not address it ambitiously.

Between 2022 and 2024, the European Union experienced a sharp increase in severe climate-related disasters. Flooding was especially destructive: in May 2023, Emilia-Romagna (Italy) suffered extreme rains causing 17 deaths and over €10 billion in damages; in August, Slovenia faced major river overflows; and in September 2024, Storm Boris hit Central Europe, killing 27 people. That same month, a violent DANA struck Valencia, Spain, dropping over 200 mm of rain in hours—flooding the city, disrupting transport, and causing over 230 deaths. Wildfires also intensified. In summer 2023, Greece recorded more than 80 major fires. One in Alexandroupoli became the largest ever in the EU, burning over 96,000 hectares.

The EESC is the first EU institution to endorse the target of 90% by 2040, as it aligns with the science on Europe’s fair share of the 1.5 degree goal. The EESC emphasises that the target is demanding and can only be achieved if enabling policies are in place to ensure the competitiveness of European industries and a just transition and through utilising all zero and low carbon technologies cost-effectively.

The EESC is also convinced that the greatest support for climate policy will be established if the overall aim is to achieve the highest greenhouse gas emissions reduction at the lowest socio-economic costs.