EU climate policy
Fit for 55
Definition
Fit for 55 is the package of legislative proposals presented by the European Commission in July and December 2021 — thirteen revisions of existing laws and six new proposals — to align EU climate and energy legislation with the European Climate Law's 2030 target of at least a 55% net emissions reduction versus 1990. Its measures include reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, a new ETS2 for buildings and road transport, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, a strengthened Effort Sharing Regulation (a 40% cut versus 2005 in covered sectors), a LULUCF regulation targeting 310 MtCO2 of net removals by 2030, and revisions of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and methane rules. By 2026 all elements had been adopted except the Energy Taxation Directive revision.
References
adoption status (all adopted except Energy Taxation Directive), component list (ETS reform, ETS2, CBAM, SCF, ESR, LULUCF, RED, EED, EPBD, methane)
July and December 2021 presentation, 13 revisions + 6 new proposals, LULUCF 310 MtCO2 removals, ESR 40% vs 2005
Overview
What it means
Fit for 55 is the operational core of the European Green Deal: it translates the headline 2030 target into sector-by-sector carbon pricing, standards and targets that determine where and how EU emissions fall.
How it is used
Used as shorthand for the EU's 2030 legislative architecture in policy analysis, compliance planning and investment decisions.
Why it matters
It is the most comprehensive national/regional climate law package in force anywhere and the template other jurisdictions study for economy-wide decarbonisation.