State of play in Europe: key facts
The European Union is the third biggest greenhouse gases emitter in the world after China and the US. The energy sector was responsible for 78% of EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2015.
In 2008, the EU set the target to cut these emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels. It is well on track to reach this goal: in 2015 the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU represented a decrease of 22% compared with 1990 levels.
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Under the Paris Agreement, the EU committed in 2015 to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
To cut emissions from power stations and industry, the EU has put into place the first major carbon market with the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
For the other sectors, reductions will be achieved through agreed national emissions targets, which are calculated, based on countries' gross domestic product per capita.
The EU also wants to use the CO2 absorption power of forest to fight climate change.
Addressing the energy challenge
The EU also fights climate change with a new clean energy policy. The focus is on increasing the share of renewable energy produced and creating the possibility for people to produce their own green energy
In addition the EU wants to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and household appliances.
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