OREANDA-NEWS. The Commission is working to keep the EU competitive as the global social economic model changes following the impetus to move towards a modern and low-carbon economy set by the Paris Agreement on climate change. Today's proposals set clear and fair guiding principles to Member States to prepare for the future and keep Europe competitive. This is part and parcel of the Energy Union and a forward-looking Climate Change policy.

In 2014 the EU agreed to a clear commitment: to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions of at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels across all sectors of the economy. Today's proposals present binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets for Member States from 2021-2030 for the transport, buildings, agriculture, waste, land-use and forestry sectors as contributors to EU climate action (see Fact sheet MEMO/16/2499 and Fact sheet MEMO/16/2496). The new framework is based on the principles of fairness, solidarity, cost-effectiveness and environmental integrity. All Member States are concerned, as they will be in the forefront in deciding how to implement the measures to meet the agreed 2030 target. The Commission is also presenting a strategy on low-emission mobility setting the course for the development of EU-wide measures on low and zero-emission vehicles and alternative low-emissions fuels (see Fact sheet MEMO/16/2497).

Vice-President in charge of the Energy Union Maro? ?ef?ovi? said:"The Energy Union is delivering. With the proposed reform of the Emissions Trading System last year and today's proposal on greenhouse gas emissions targets for Member States, we anchor the 2030 Energy and Climate framework in legislation. We are also setting our transport system firmly on the path towards zero-emissions. Today's package shows that we are mobilising all our policies towards the competitive, circular and low-carbon economy that we promised in the Energy Union Strategy".

Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen said: "This strategy is more than about transport and emissions. It should be seen as yet another element of our efforts to modernise European economy and strengthen our Internal Market. It defines key priorities on the way to low-emission mobility and gives clear guidance for future investors. It contributes to our goals which do not change over time – we want to create conditions for our industry to be more competitive and able to provide quality jobs."

EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Ca?ete said: "The EU has an ambitious emissions reduction target, one I am convinced we can achieve through the collective efforts of all Member States. The national binding targets we are proposing are fair, flexible and realistic. They set the right incentives to unleash investments in sectors like transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management. With these proposals, we are showing that we have done our homework and that we keep our promises.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: "Transport accounts for a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and is a main cause of air pollution. The transition to low-emission mobility is therefore essential to reach the EU's ambitious climate objectives and to improve the quality of life in our cities. It is also an opportunity to modernise the EU's economy and keep Europe's industry competitive. The Strategy we adopted today presents a roadmap towards low-emission mobility and will give an impetus to that shift."

In the EU, efforts have already started to align private investments with climate and resource-efficiency objectives. The EU financial instruments are significant contributors to climate funding. Over 50% of the investments approved so far are climate relevant. As part of the Investment Plan for Europe, the European Fund for Strategic Investments is on track to deliver on mobilising at least EUR 315 billion in additional investment in the real economy by mid-2018. In addition, the Commission actively works to ensure that the EU budget spending is aligned with climate objectives. At least 20% of the current EU budget is explicitly climate related.