SHARED GREEN DEAL is structured around lessons from a set of 24 social experiments that target six specific priority Green Deal topics (Clean Energy, Circular Economy, Efficient Renovations, Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Food, Preserving Biodiversity), all of which contribute to the climate action and zero pollution ambitions of the Green Deal.
GREEN DEAL PRIORITIES
Clean Energy
Supplying clean, affordable and secure energy
The production and use of energy accounted for more than 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. Decarbonising the EU’s energy system is therefore critical to reach the EU’s 2030 climate objectives and the long-term strategy of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, a successful transition to renewable energy sources cannot be achieved with a top-down approach and must gain broad approval at all levels of society which can only be achieved by making the transition just.
Circular Economy
Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy
The EU’s transition to a circular economy will reduce pressure on natural resources and will create sustainable growth and new employment opportunities. Circular Economy presents an opportunity to achieve the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target and to halt biodiversity loss. The involvement of local governments, and local small and medium-sized enterprises, has the potential to drastically increase the roll-out of a circular economy and benefit citizens across Europe, as well as their local economies.
Efficient Renovations
Building and renovating in an energy andd resource efficient way
With energy use in buildings accounting for around 40 percent of total energy use in Europe, there is a drastic need to make buildings more energy-efficient. In response to that, as 85 percent of the European building stock was built before 2001 and is typically not energy-efficient, the EU launched its Renovation Wave Strategy and Action Plan in 2020. As all these existing buildings, more than 220 million across the EU, have people living or working in them, the involvement of citizens in this process is essential.
Sustainable Food
From 'Farm to Fork': designing a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system
The food sector accounts for nearly one-third of global GHG emissions, consumes large amounts of natural resources and does not allow fair economic returns and livelihoods for all actors, in particular for primary producers. The European Farm to Fork Strategy seeks to put our food systems on a sustainable path. New technologies and scientific discoveries, combined with increasing public awareness and demand for sustainable food, will benefit all stakeholders. To succeed on this path we need a thorough understanding of what drives the stakeholders in the food system towards change.
Sustainable Mobility
Accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility
Transport emissions represent around 25% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions and urban mobility has been singled out as a key focus area for the European Green Deal through its mission to have Europe be climate neutral by 2050. For that purpose, the European Commission published the European Urban Mobility Framework in 2021, proposing measures and initiatives for cities to meet the challenge related to making their mobility systems more sustainable.
Preserving Biodiversity
Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity
Biodiversity and ecosystems provide us with food, health and medicines, materials, recreation, and wellbeing. They filter our air and water, help keep the climate in balance, convert waste back into resources, pollinate and fertilise crops and much more. In 2020, the EU launched its new Biodiversity Strategy aiming to make 30% of Europe protected areas, and restore degraded ecosystems on land and at sea across the whole of Europe. One key aspect to succeed with this ambition is for citizens to gain increased knowledge on the preservation and restoration of biodiversity.
Climate Action
Increasing the EU's climate ambition for 2030 and 2050
The European Union aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 and have adopted policies on a wide spectrum to make this possible. The objective of climate-neutrality is at the core of the European Green Deal and is becoming an ambition shared by countries, cities and communities across Europe. It's clear that it can only be met if all actors of society, including businesses and individuals, play their role in ensuring a positive transformation that includes all sectors of the economy and of our daily life.
Zero Pollution
A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment
Pollution harms our health and our environment and is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases and of premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain medical conditions and the elderly. Therefore, the EU's Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil' set outs ambitious of reducing the negative health impacts, plastic waste, use of chemical pesticides and much more, as we move towards a Europe without pollution. To support that work, it is essential to include the citizens of Europe.
CONTACT
For further details please contact co-leads Professor Chris Foulds (chris.foulds@aru.ac.uk) and Professor Rosie Robison (rosie.robison@aru.ac.uk).
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101036640. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the SHARED GREEN DEAL HAS project and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.