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Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:

no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050

economic growth decoupled from resource use

no person and no place left behind

The European Green Deal is also our lifeline out of the COVID-19 pandemic. One third of the €1.8 trillion investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, and the EU's seven-year budget will finance the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has adopted a set of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. More information on Delivering the European Green Deal.

Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity

12 March 2024 - The Commission has published a Communication on managing climate risks in Europe that sets out how the EU and its countries can implement policies that save lives, cut costs, and protect prosperity. It comes as a direct response to the first-ever European Climate Risk Assessment by the European Environment Agency. It also addresses the concerns that many Europeans have following last's year record temperatures and extreme weather events. The Commission is calling for action from all levels of government, the private sector and civil society to improve governance and tools for climate risk owners, manage risks across sectors and set the right preconditions to finance climate resilience.

Read more

Key figures

The first climate-neutral continent

net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels

additional trees to be planted in the EU by 2030

Timeline

1. The Council and the European Parliament reach a provisional political agreement on stricter CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans

2. The European Commission joins the European Climate Pact and pledges to make its operations climate neutral by 2030

3. Show 80 more items

Documents

Factsheets on Delivering the European Green Deal

Factsheet

A clear and complete repository of the thematic areas that are shaping the European Green Deal

Communication and roadmap on the European Green Deal

Download

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:

no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050

economic growth decoupled from resource use

no person and no place left behind

The European Green Deal is also our lifeline out of the COVID-19 pandemic. One third of the €1.8 trillion investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, and the EU's seven-year budget will finance the European Green Deal.

Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity

12 March 2024 - The Commission has published a Communication on managing climate risks in Europe that sets out how the EU and its countries can implement policies that save lives, cut costs, and protect prosperity. It comes as a direct response to the first-ever European Climate Risk Assessment by the European Environment Agency. It also addresses the concerns that many Europeans have following last's year record temperatures and extreme weather events. The Commission is calling for action from all levels of government, the private sector and civil society to improve governance and tools for climate risk owners, manage risks across sectors and set the right preconditions to finance climate resilience.

Read more

Factsheets on Delivering the European Green Deal

Factsheet

A clear and complete repository of the thematic areas that are shaping the European Green Deal

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Discover the European Commission's proposals to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy while reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

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What is 'biodiversity', and why do we need it?

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IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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An IPCC Special Report on climate change, desertification, landdegradation, sustainable land management, food security, andgreenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems

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An IPCC Special Report on climate change, desertification, landdegradation, sustainable land management, food security, andgreenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems

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EU Platform on food losses and food waste

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In the EU, an estimated 20% of the total food produced each year is lost or wasted, costing us approximately € 143 billion. The EU and its Member States are committed to meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030, and reduce food losses along the food production and supply chains.

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How does your diet affect the environment?

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CyArk Editorial Video: Heritage on the Edge

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WATCH: Greta Thunberg's full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit

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Greta Thunberg’s speech at UN climate change conference

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Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace) at the opening of Climate Summit 2014

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Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace), High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement, Opening session

Statement by Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, United Nations Messenger of Peace at the opening of the High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement.

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Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace), High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement, Opening session

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Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace), High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement, Opening session Statement by Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, United Nations Messenger of Peace at the opening of the High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement.

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Coalition #2: Social and Political Drivers
Addressing climate change impacts on cultural and natural heritage
Cultural and natural heritage is increasingly vulnerable to the adverse social and environmental effects of global climate change.

Floods, fires, declines in glaciers, the melting of the ice cap, droughts, ocean acidification, extreme weather events and the long-term impact of adverse climate conditions have the potential to significantly damage cultural and natural heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage practices and expressions, Rising sea levels in particular threaten numerous coastal sites and their related cultural practices, while the increased migration of pests can also have an adverse impact on the conservation of some heritage sites.

Climate change may have dire consequences not only with respect to monuments' physical form and structure, but also with respect to their overall meaningful context, which is essential for their perception, interpretation and understanding. The latter are often subtle, gradual and can go undetected in the early stages. Thus, adapting to climate change presents a major challenge for their continued preservation and sustainable management. The task is even greater in the case of World Heritage Properties.

In addition to physical damage, climate change will also have a tremendous social and economic impact on heritage in all its forms, with effects ranging from the disruption of the governance of the cultural sector, to the looting and trafficking of cultural objects, and the displacement of people, resulting in the disruption of the transmission of intangible cultural heritage and the loss of traditional knowledge and practices. Lost economic opportunities in the cultural and creative industries and cultural tourism are another consequence of climate change. More generally, climate change will disrupt the lives of communities across the globe, limiting their ability to access and benefit from their cultural resources and practices.

There is now a growing appreciation of the dual role of culture in climate change mitigation - on the one hand, as a key consideration in risk prevention, and, on the other, as a contributing factor in enhancing resilience. In terms of the latter, both tangible and intangible cultural heritage are increasingly being recognized for the proactive role they play in building the resilience of communities and saving lives and properties from the effects of climate change.

Despite its important role in mitigating climate change impacts, cultural heritage is not systematically integrated in global climate change mitigation processes - including the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, which only refers to " traditional knowledge, knowledge of indigenous peoples and local knowledge systems" (Article 7.5). This is a reflection of a persistent institutional gap between the cultural heritage and climate change communities, which must urgently be addressed. Taking into account existing research and policies[1] in the field, there is a need to accelerate the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures for cultural heritage as part of key intergovernmental processes and mechanisms on climate change, in order to ensure cultural continuity and to effectively support the resilience of the affected communities. Without the integration of cultural heritage-related concerns in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), progress will be inadequate. Moreover, approaches to mitigating the impact of climate change on heritage should be expanded to fully include intangible cultural heritage, as the impact of climate change on these expressions is tremendous and requires urgent action from the international community. Climate change is affecting all aspects of the world's cultural heritage. If we do not act immediately, the damage to our common heritage may become irreversible.
Commitment In light of the above, Member States are called on to support the protection of cultural and natural heritage from the impact of climate change by mainstreaming this protection into climate change policies and/or processes, in line with the related Paris Agreement objectives and commitments and the SDGs, and taking into account policies and recommendations by UNESCO. Governments and stakeholders would meet this commitment by 2030 through inter alia the following actions, as appropriate:

Accelerate practical action and cooperation schemes to protect cultural and natural heritage from the adverse effects of climate change,

Create strategies/mechanisms to promote research, including local knowledge, on the impacts of climate change on cultural and natural heritage and improve the quality of information and the efficiency of mitigation tools and approaches, including through:

the strengthening of key baseline information across relevant authorities and agencies including up-to-date inventories and multi-hazard maps;

the provision of adequate recording and monitoring systems and tools for the assessment of the vulnerability of various types of heritage and the associated socioeconomic effects caused by climate change;

the creation of vulnerability indices for cultural and natural heritage, including intangible heritage, that might be affected by extreme weather events.

Foster scientific studies and research methodologies, including those conducted by the communities and groups themselves, aimed at understanding and demonstrating the effectiveness of knowledge of disaster risk reduction, disaster recovery, climate adaptation and climate change mitigation that is recognized by communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals as part of their intangible cultural heritage, while enhancing the capacities of communities, groups and individuals to face challenges related to climate change that existing knowledge may not address;

Adopt appropriate legal, technical, administrative and financial measures to:

promote access to and transmission of knowledge concerning the earth and the climate that is recognized by communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals as part of their intangible cultural heritage, while respecting customary practices governing access to specific aspects of this knowledge;

fully integrate communities, groups and individuals who are bearers of such knowledge into systems and programmes of disaster risk reduction, disaster recovery and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Design, develop and implement plans and programmes, as well as related tools to help mitigate the effects of climate change on cultural and natural heritage, with the view to increase the resilience and adaptive capabilities of cultural and natural heritage, including through:

enhanced coordination mechanisms among institutions and actors in the implementation of climate change strategies for cultural heritage and the development of innovative partnerships at the national, institutional, and policy level;

the development of capacity-building materials and tools, including the provision of training for national authorities, institutions, as well as communities;

the creation of a repository of best practices for actions and management plans related to the prevention of climate change impacts as well as for the adaptation of monuments and sites to climate change, including based on local and indigenous knowledge,

the development of risk management plans, early warning systems and emergency action plans for cultural and natural sites,

the design of readiness action programmes,

the development of risk assessment maps for specific threats,

the elaboration of appropriate investment programmes for increasing resilience and adaptive capacities of cultural and natural sites against climate change.

Promote education to enhance cultural and natural heritage protection and adequate climate policies and responses in order to build capacity and raise awareness, including through:

the promotion of university, primary and secondary education curricula on the impacts of climate change on cultural and natural heritage,

the design of awareness and educational material in order to inform the public of these impacts,

the implementation of training seminars for decision makers, site managers and other stakeholders.
Track progress and share experiences and best practices, in cooperation with the UN system and other stakeholders.

[1]UNESCO Strategy for Action on Climate Change and The UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change (2017) Strategy for the reinforcement of UNESCO's action for the protection of culture and the promotion of cultural pluralism in the event of armed conflict (2017) World Herita"e Policv on Climate Change (2007)

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The proposal of Greece on the pre Summit event: "Addressing climate change impacts on cultural and natural heritage " - CCICH2019

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Coalition #2: Social and Political Drivers Addressing climate change impacts on cultural and natural heritage Cultural and natural heritage is increasingly vulnerable to the adverse social and environmental effects of global climate change.

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Within the framework of the revision of the questionnaire of the Periodic Reporting exercise (Section II) in 2008, the World Heritage Committee adopted a standard list of factors affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties.

This list was established following a 2-year consultation process with experts in both fields of natural and cultural heritage. It consists of a series of 14 primary factors, encompassing each a number of secondary factors.

In the state of conservation reports examined by the World Heritage Committee, threats affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties are indicated in a narrative form (e.g. " to evaluate the seriousness of the threat posed by the proliferation of Typha australis and other invasive aquatic species " in the 2005 report on Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary - Senegal) to be as precise as possible and site-specific.

However, to have a consistent approach for all the properties examined throughout the different processes, the regions of the World and the categories of heritage (natural, mixed and cultural), the treatment of those factors/threats requires certain homogeneity. For this reason, the standard list of factors/threats identified in Section II of the Periodic Reporting was also used in the State of conservation Information System, and each narrative description of a threat in a state of conservation report was linked into the corresponding standardized factor. For example, the above-mentioned threat for Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in Senegal, was linked to the standard factor: " Invasive / alien freshwater species ". This standardization makes the analysis of potential trends over the years or across regions more consistent.

Lastly, it is worth noting that in the online Information System on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties, the threats are presented in alphabetical order, irrespective of their type ("ascertained danger" or "potential danger"). Should the property be threatened by serious and specific danger, the World Heritage Committee can decide to inscribe this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The 14 primary threats

The standard list of threats/factors affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties consists of a series of 14 primary factors, encompassing each a number of secondary factors.

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List of factors affecting the properties

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Within the framework of the revision of the questionnaire of the Periodic Reporting exercise (Section II) in 2008, the World Heritage Committee adopted a standard list of factors affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties. This list was established following a 2-year consultation process with experts in both fields of natural and cultural heritage.

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CyArk Editorial Video: Heritage on the Edge

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Selection criteria

to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;

(ii)

to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;

(iii)

to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;

(iv)

to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;

(v)

to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;

(vi)

to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria);

(vii)

to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;

(viii)

to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;

(ix)

to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;

(x)

to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

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The Criteria for Selection To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. These criteria are explained in the ...

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World Heritage Online Map Platform

The World Heritage Online Map Platform, supported by the Flanders UNESCO Trustfund (FUT), is a pilot online geographic information system displaying georeferenced maps of World Heritage properties and buffer zones.

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Interactive Map - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

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Trumps pulls US out of Paris climate deal - BBC News

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The authoritative information on the status of approval, acceptance, accession and ratification of the Agreement is provided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the respective internet page of the United Nations Treaty Depositary under: Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016. Currently, as of 27 January 2026, there are 194 Parties to the Paris Agreement.

Its overarching goal is to hold "the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels" and pursue efforts "to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels."

However, in recent years, world leaders have stressed the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century.

That's because the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the 1.5°C threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall.

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations together to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

How does the Paris Agreement work?

Implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation, based on the best available science. The Paris Agreement works on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action -- or, ratcheting up -- carried out by countries. Since 2020, countries have been submitting their national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each successive NDC is meant to reflect an increasingly higher degree of ambition compared to the previous version.

Recognizing that accelerated action is required to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the COP27 cover decision requests Parties to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their NDCs to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2023, taking into account different national circumstances.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

In their NDCs, countries communicate actions they will take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. Countries also communicate in their NDCs actions they will take to build resilience to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Long-Term Strategies

To better frame the efforts towards the long-term goal, the Paris Agreement invites countries to formulate and submit long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS).

LT-LEDS provide the long-term horizon to the NDCs. Unlike NDCs, they are not mandatory. Nevertheless, they place the NDCs into the context of countries' long-term planning and development priorities, providing a vision and direction for future development.

How are countries supporting one another?

The Paris Agreement provides a framework for financial, technical and capacity building support to those countries who need it.

Finance

The Paris Agreement reaffirms that developed countries should take the lead in providing financial assistance to countries that are less endowed and more vulnerable, while for the first time also encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties. Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.

Technology

The Paris Agreement speaks of the vision of fully realizing technology development and transfer for both improving resilience to climate change and reducing GHG emissions. It establishes a technology framework to provide overarching guidance to the well-functioning Technology Mechanism. The mechanism is accelerating technology development and transfer through its policy and implementation arms.

Capacity-Building

Not all developing countries have sufficient capacities to deal with many of the challenges brought by climate change. As a result, the Paris Agreement places great emphasis on climate-related capacity-building for developing countries and requests all developed countries to enhance support for capacity-building actions in developing countries.

How are we tracking progress?

With the Paris Agreement, countries established an enhanced transparency framework (ETF). Under ETF, starting in 2024, countries will report transparently on actions taken and progress in climate change mitigation, adaptation measures and support provided or received. It also provides for international procedures for the review of the submitted reports.

The information gathered through the ETF will feed into the Global stocktake which will assess the collective progress towards the long-term climate goals.

This will lead to recommendations for countries to set more ambitious plans in the next round.

What have we achieved so far?

Although climate change action needs to be massively increased to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the years since its entry into force have already sparked low-carbon solutions and new markets. More and more countries, regions, cities and companies are establishing carbon neutrality targets. Zero-carbon solutions are becoming competitive across economic sectors representing 25% of emissions. This trend is most noticeable in the power and transport sectors and has created many new business opportunities for early movers.

By 2030, zero-carbon solutions could be competitive in sectors representing over 70% of global emissions.

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The authoritative information on the status of approval, acceptance, accession and ratification of the Agreement is provided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the respective internet page of the United Nations Treaty Depositary under: Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.

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Before the Flood Full Movie National Geographic

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Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Home - Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Vital Signs of the Planet: Global Climate Change and Global Warming. Current news and data streams about global warming and climate change from NASA.

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Episode 1: Global Warming, It's All About Carbon | Krulwich Wonders | NPR

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Episode 2: Global Warming, It's All About Carbon | Krulwich Wonders | NPR

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Episode 3: Global Warming, It's All About Carbon | Krulwich Wonders | NPR

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Episode 4: Global Warming, It's All About Carbon | Krulwich Wonders | NPR

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What's the difference between weather and climate?

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AIRS instrument on NASA’s Aqua spacecraft shows high carbon dioxide concentrations in the Northern Hemisphere.

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio/NASA/JPL AIRS Project

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While Covid-19 has shaken much of human society, the threat posed by global warming has not gone away.