EU climate Advisory Board: EU needs to significantly accelerate its emission reductions

“Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 is a race against the clock, and we cannot afford to lean back now. To stay on track, we need to make sure actions today are in line with our long-term goals, and to start preparing for even deeper reductions after 2030,” says Ottmar Edenhofer, Chair of the Advisory Board and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

The report outlines key recommendations for a more effective implementation and design of the EU climate policy framework in all sectors, particularly in buildings, transport, agriculture and forestry. ESABCC finds that EU’s own policies are not yet fully aligned with the need to phase out fossil fuels. The board advises to reform existing EU policies for the post-2030 period, including additional adjustments to the flagship EU emissions trading systems (EU ETS). New policies are needed to achieve more ambitious reductions in the demand for material, energy and greenhouse gas-intensive products.

The Advisory Board recommends fully phasing out harmful fossil fuel subsidies, which have remained stable at €50 billion per year across the EU. As emissions in agriculture are not decreasing, the report suggests shifting support away from emission-intensive agricultural practices such as livestock production, and towards lower-emitting products and activities. Furthermore, an introduction of some form of emissions pricing in the agricultural and land use sectors by 2031 at the latest is needed. The implementation of redistributive measures targeted at the most vulnerable and impacted households and businesses could help to ensure that public support for climate action is maintained.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is an independent body providing the European Union (EU) with scientific knowledge, expertise and advice relating to climate change. The Advisory Board evaluates policies and identifies actions and opportunities to successfully achieve the EU’s climate targets. It was established in 2021 by the European Climate Law and consists of 15 independent senior scientific experts covering a broad range of relevant disciplines.