What is the Green Pact, whose star text has just been voted in the European Parliament?

It’s a first green light. The European Parliament voted Wednesday in favor of the ecosystem restoration bill, a landmark text of the EU Green Deal proposed by Brussels, which was opposed by right-wing and far-right elected officials.

The bill aims to halt biodiversity decline and better counter climate change by mandating repair of damaged ecosystems.

To do this, the legislation must impose on the States, by 2030, binding objectives for the restoration of 20% of terrestrial and marine areas damaged by pollution or intensive exploitation, to preserve biodiversity, then by 2050 in all areas that they require it. .

A “watered down” text on the restoration of nature

The European Parliament, however, today approved a version of the text “substantially watered down” compared to the initial proposals of the European Commission, according to environmentalists. This position received 336 votes in favor (300 against, 13 abstentions).

Pollution, urbanization, intensive exploitation… according to Brussels, more than 80% of the EU’s natural habitats are in a “bad or mediocre” state of conservation (peat bogs, dunes and meadows in particular), and up to 70% the soils are in poor health.

This first text is one of the bills approved within the framework of the Green Pact, a set of measures aimed at combating climate change and environmental degradation. Thanks to this package, the EU has set itself the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. It also aims at “economic growth decoupled from the use of resources”, perhaps we read on your site, at the same time that reduces economic inequalities. .

Transport, energy and building in the program

In addition to the preservation of biodiversity and the restoration of ecosystems, the Green Deal includes measures on mobility. The EU wants to develop “clean, accessible and affordable transport even in the most remote regions”, we can read on the Commission’s website. Its goal is to reduce car emissions by 55% by 2030.

Another part of the Green Deal concerns the European energy system. “The Commission proposes to raise the binding target for renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix to 40%,” says the website of the European executive. To participate in the rehabilitation of buildings and fight against energy poverty, the new Social Fund for the Climate will provide an endowment of 72,200 million euros in 7 years.