Europe's Green Deal is attacked on all sides

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🗞️ Driving the news: Rebellion against the European Green Deal is escalating across Europe, with widespread discontent over the environmental transition's restrictions
• Amidst this, the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a bold new target: a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels
• This move is crucial for the EU's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and comes ahead of the European elections, signaling a pivotal moment for the Green Deal's future

🔭 The context: The European Green Deal, aimed at aligning the EU with the Paris Agreement, faces growing resistance, particularly from farmers and right-wing factions
• Since its inception in 2019, the Deal has led to significant legislative actions, including ending combustion engines in new cars by 2035 and implementing a carbon tax at EU borders
• However, the upcoming elections and increasing calls for a "regulatory pause" cast uncertainty over its continuation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The European Green Deal represents a major effort to combat climate change through ambitious legislative measures. Its success or failure could set a precedent for environmental policies globally
• The current resistance highlights the challenges in balancing economic interests and environmental sustainability, a dilemma faced by many countries in the transition to a greener economy

⏭️ What's next: The fate of the European Green Deal, and by extension Europe's green transition, hinges on the upcoming European elections
• The elections will not only determine the political support for the Deal but also shape the EU's environmental policy direction for the coming years
• The decisions made will have lasting implications on the EU's ability to meet its climate commitments and influence global environmental policy.

💬 One quote: "If there is no longer any democratic support for the Green Deal, it will come to an end," stated Pascal Canfin, chair of the European Parliament's environment committee, emphasizing the critical role of public and political support in environmental policymaking.

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