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Fit for 55 is a package by theEuropean Union designed to reduce the European Union'sgreenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.[1] It is part of the union's strategy of theEuropean Green Deal presented first in December 2019.[2]
The package was proposed in July 2021 by theEuropean Commission.[3] After being tabled in 2021, the plans were passed in 2023.[4] Measures include additional support for clean transport,renewables, and a tariff called theCarbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on emissions for high-carbon imports from countries lacking sufficient greenhouse gas reduction measures of their own.[1] It proposes to extend theEuropean Union Emissions Trading System to transport and heat. Compared to the net-zero scenario from theInternational Energy Agency, the plan contains more measures to ensure that energy remains affordable.[5]
The legislation is complicated due to the high level of democratic processes in the European Union. Thecommission sent proposals of the new law to thecouncil andEuropean parliament. The council started discussions including representatives of all 27 member states on the legislative proposals in working parties on an expert level. Based on that exchange the Permanent Representative Committee continues discussions preparing the ground for the council meeting of ministers. The Fit for 55 package proposals are discussed in multiple council formations such as environment, energy, transport, economy and finance. After the ministers of each branch found joint positions trilogues including meetings with representatives of the council, parliament and commission start. The larger part of the proposals stick to the regular legislative process of trilogues.[6]
When the bill for carbon market legislation was designed, the conservative fraction in the European Parliament initially weakened the bill. The amended bill was defeated as the social democrats voted against. The final accepted compromise became stronger in CO2 emission reduction than the proposal from the European Commission.[8]
The environmental organizationGreenpeace criticized the package for not being suitable for haltingglobal warming and the associated destruction of important life-support systems because the target envisaged was too low. The organization criticized the classification ofbioenergy asrenewable energy and the sale of non-emission-free cars by 2035.[9]
In August 2023, the Polish government filed a series of complaints with theEuropean Court of Justice against provisions that are part of the Fit for 55 package, claiming that EU climate policies threatenPoland's economy andenergy security.[10]
The EU's Fit for 55 climate package is projected to create a net 204,000 jobs by 2030, adding to the baseline growth of 6.7 million jobs. Employment effects will vary by region, with negative impacts likely in eastern Europe due to reliance oncarbon-intensive industries, and positive impacts in regions withgreen energy infrastructure.[11]