Earth Day 2022 – What can we do?

Since 1970, Earth Day has taken place on 22 April. Everyone can ask himself how ecologically or environmentally conscious he lives.

For us it is a matter of course to separate the garbage, to avoid plastic and to use environmentally friendly materials. Every single person can contribute to the protection of the earth and climate protection.

But what are the European countries doing?

A European Green Deal

Europe wants to become the first climate neutral continent – with the European Green Deal.

Climate change and environmental degradation are existential threats to Europe and the world. Europe therefore needs a new growth strategy if it is to make a successful transition to a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy in which

• no more net greenhouse gas emissions are released until 2050
• decoupling economic growth from resource use
• no one, neither man nor region, is abandoned.

The European Green Deal is our roadmap for a sustainable EU economy. We will achieve this goal by seeing climate and environmental challenges as opportunities in all policy areas and by making the transition fair and inclusive for all.

Timetable of measures

The European Green Deal includes a timetable with measures:

1. on promoting a more efficient use of resources through the transition to a clean and recycling-based economy
2. on restoring biodiversity and combating pollution.

It outlines the investment needed and how it can be financed, and explains how a just and inclusive transition can be achieved. The EU will be carbon neutral in 2050. To get there, we have proposed a European climate change law that makes this political commitment right and a catalyst for investment.

All sectors of the economy must make an active contribution:

• Investment in new, environmentally friendly technologies
• Support for industry in innovation
• introducing more environmentally friendly, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transport
• Decarbonisation of the energy sector
• Increasing the energy efficiency of buildings
• Cooperation with international partners to improve global environmental standards

The EU will provide financial and technical assistance and support to people, businesses and regions most affected by the transition to a green economy. This will be done under the fair transition mechanism, which aims to mobilise at least €100 billion over 2021-2027 in the most affected regions.