https://ec.europa.

eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en

Emissions cuts by sector

All sectors need to contribute to the low-carbon transition according to their technological and
economic potential.

Action in all main sectors responsible for Europe's emissions power generation, industry, transport,
buildings, construction and agriculture will be needed, but differences exist between sectors on the
amount of reductions that can be expected.

Possible 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU (100%=1990)

Power generation & distribution

The power sector has the biggest potential for cutting emissions. It can almost totally eliminate
CO2 emissions by 2050.

Electricity could partially replace fossil fuels in transport and heating.

Electricity will come from renewable sources like wind, solar, water and biomass or other low-
emission sources like nuclear power plants or fossil fuel power stations equipped with carbon
capture & storage technology. This will also require strong investments in smart grids.

More details in the 2050 roadmap for energy.

Transport

Emissions from transport could be reduced to more than 60% below 1990 levels by 2050.
 In the short term, most progress can be found in petrol and diesel engines that could still be made
more fuel-efficient.

In the mid- to long-term, plug-in hybrid and electric cars will allow for steeper emissions
reductions.

Biofuels will be increasingly used in aviation and road haulage, as not all heavy goods vehicles will
run on electricity in future.

Buildings

Emissions from houses and office buildings can be almost completely cut by around 90% in 2050.

Energy performance will improve drastically through:

passive housing technology in new buildings

refurbishing old buildings to improve energy efficiency

substituting electricity and renewables for fossil fuels in heating, cooling & cooking

Investments can be recovered over time through reduced energy bills.

Industry

Energy intensive industries could cut emissions by more than 80% by 2050.

The technologies used will get cleaner and more energy-efficient.

Up to 2030 and just beyond, CO 2 emissions would fall gradually through further decreases in energy
intensity.

After 2035, carbon capture & storage technology would be applied to emissions from industries unable
to make cuts in any other way (e.g. steel, cement). This would allow much deeper cuts by 2050.

Non-CO2 emissions from industry that are part of the EU emissions trading system are already forecast
to fall to very low levels.

Agriculture

As global food demand grows, the share of agriculture in the EU's total emissions will rise to about a
third by 2050, but reductions are possible.

Agriculture will need to cut emissions from fertilisers, manure and livestock and can contribute to
the storage of CO2 in soils and forests. Changes towards a more healthy diet with more vegetables
and less meat can also reduce emissions.

Benefits
 The roadmap concludes that the transition to a low-carbon society is feasible and affordable, but
requires innovation and investments.

This transition would

boost Europe's economy thanks to the development of clean technologies and low- or
zero-carbon energy, spurring growth and jobs

help Europe reduce its use ofkey resources like energy, raw materials, land and water

make the EU less dependent on expensive imports of oil and gas

bring health benefits e.g. through reduced air pollution.

To make the transition, the EU would need to invest an additional 270 billion (or on average 1.5% of
its GDP annually) over the next 4 decades.

https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris_en

At the Paris climate conference (COP21) in December 2015, 195 countries adopted the first-
ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.

The agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate
change by limiting global warming to well below 2C.

Key elements

The Paris Agreement is a bridge between today's policies and climate-neutrality before the end of the
century.

Mitigation: reducing emissions

Governments agreed

a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below
2C above pre-industrial levels;

to aim to limit the increase to 1.5C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the
impacts of climate change;

on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognising that this will
take longer for developing countries;

to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science.
 Before and during the Paris conference, countries submitted comprehensive national climate action
plans (INDCs). These are not yet enough to keep global warming below 2C, but the agreement
traces the way to achieving this target.

Transparency and global stocktake

Governments agreed to

come together every 5 years to set more ambitious targets as required by science;

report to each other and the public on how well they are doing to implement their targets;

track progress towards the long-term goal through a robust transparency and
accountability system.

Adaptation

Governments agreed to

strengthen societies' ability to deal with the impacts of climate change;

provide continued and enhanced international support for adaptation to developing

countries.

Loss and damage

The agreement also

recognises the importance of averting, minimising and addressing loss and

damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change;

acknowledges the need to cooperate and enhance the understanding, action and
support in different areas such as early warning systems, emergency preparedness and risk insurance.

Role of cities, regions and local authorities

The agreement recognises the role of non-Party stakeholders in addressing climate change,
including cities, other subnational authorities, civil society, the private sector and others.

They are invited to

scale up their efforts and support actions to reduce emissions;

build resilience and decrease vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change;

uphold and promote regional and international cooperation.

 Support

The EU and other developed countries will continue to support climate action to reduce
emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts in developing countries.

Other countries are encouraged to provide or continue to provide such support voluntarily.

Developed countries intend to continue their existing collective goal to mobilise USD 100
billion per year by 2020 and extend this until 2025. A new and higher goal will be set for after this
period.