EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Figure 16.1  European Green Deal (Source: EC, 2019a) Transforming the EU’s economy for a sustainable future The EU as a global leader A European Climate Pact Mobilising research and fostering innovation The European Green Deal Financing the transition Leave no one behind (Just Transition) A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment Accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity From Farm to Fork: a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system Increasing the EU’s Climate ambition for 2030 and 2050 Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way Supplying clean, affordable and secre energy Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy At the European level, the new Green Deal from the European Commission promises a commitment to ‘tackling climate and environmental-related challenges that is this generation’s defining task’ (EC, 2019a; Figure 16.1). The Green Deal includes policy documents on a Circular Economy Action Plan, a Farm to Fork Strategy and an EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. These initiatives are expected to shape environmental policy in Ireland for the next decade. They will also help to support a green recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed and will have the capacity to deliver better environmental performance across all sectors. To succeed, these initiatives will need engagement and commitment from government, business, agriculture, local communities and individuals. Linked to the implementation of the Green Deal the European Commission published a proposal in October 2020 for an 8th Environmental Action Programme. 4 This proposal includes a new monitoring framework aimed at measuring and communicating whether the objectives of the Green Deal are being met. In the proposal the Commission outlines that ‘the overarching aim of the 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP) is to accelerate the Union’s transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient clean and circular economy in a just and inclusive way and achieve the environmental objectives of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, fully endorsing the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Deal’. 4 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/8EAP/2020/10/8EAP-draft.pdf 430