Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

24 Chapter 1: Introduction Figure 1.1  European Green Deal and associated policy initiatives Fit for 55 Renewable Energy Directive EPB Directive Renovation Wave New Industrial Strategy European Skills Agenda Just Transition Mechanism New European Bauhaus Climate Law REPower EU Ecodesign Framework Waste Framework Directive Zero Pollution Ambition Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability CDW Management Protocol Biodiversity Strategy Adaptation to Climate Change Nature Restoration Law Green Public Procurement Circular Economy Action Plan Construction Product Regulation Emissions Trading System Energy Taxation Directive EU Taxonomy 8th Environment Action Programme Climate neutral Fair Digital Nature Restoration Pollution Circular European Green Deal CDW, construction and demolition waste; EPB Directive, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Source: Compiled from data from EEA and ETC Circular Economy and Resource Use Topic Box 1.1  Eighth Environment Action Programme The long-term priority objective is that, by 2050 at the latest, Europeans live well, within the planetary boundaries and in a ‘wellbeing economy’ where nothing is wasted. Growth will be regenerative, climate neutrality will be a reality and inequalities will have been significantly reduced. There are six priority objectives to 2030 ■ achieving the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and climate neutrality by 2050 ■ enhancing adaptive capacity , strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change ■ advancing towards a regenerative growth model, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy ■ pursuing a zero pollution ambition, including for air, water and soil, and protecting the health and wellbeing of Europeans ■ protecting, preserving and restoring biodiversity and enhancing natural capital ■ reducing environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption (particularly in the areas of energy, industry, buildings and infrastructure, mobility, tourism, international trade and the food system).