In mid-September, the European Commission came forward with a much-awaited update of its emissions reduction target, which sits at the heart of the European executive’s climate action strategy under the European Green Deal. For the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 to remain in sight, the European Union will have to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, according to the Commission.

For that to happen, a series of measures will have to be taken, including the revision of a set of legislation that defines the European legal framework on energy and climate. That exercise would entail the redrafting of Directive 2003/87/EC establishing the EU Emissions Trading System as well as the rewriting of the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Taxation, Energy Performance of Buildings and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directives, amongst others. It might also prompt a reworking of the Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy.