5th February 2020: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting Dr Artur Runge-Metzger, Director of DG Climate Action of the EU Commission, to speak as part of the EPA Climate Lecture Series on Thursday 6th February. Dr Runge-Metzger, will speak about the European Green Deal, Europe’s new ambitious growth strategy and give insights into how it will deliver EU Climate Neutrality.
The Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. The European Green Deal was the first policy paper of the new von der Leyen Commission adopted in mid-December 2019.
Dr Runge-Metzger said:
“The European Green Deal sets out the first set of around fifty major regulatory and supporting initiatives to be kicked off within the coming two years. They will cover a broad array of EU policies in the fields of climate, energy, industry, mobility, agriculture/forestry, environment, sustainable finance, investments, taxation as well as external relations including trade.
No doubt, this will require a major transformation and modernisation of the European economy and society within the next three decades that leaves nobody behind.”
Laura Burke, EPA Director General commented:
“The goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is both inspirational and challenging. It is what science tells us is needed if we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and avoid dangerous and irreversible climate impacts. There are challenges but also opportunities and multiple benefits for Europe and Ireland. Ireland’s response has to be clear and robust yet sensitive to societal issues and concerns ensuring nobody is left behind.
Dr Runge-Metzger, is at the forefront of this policy development and we look forward to hearing his insights on the European Green Deal’”.