Primary and old-growth forests in the EU are rare, small and fragmented. They make up less than 3% of Europe’s total forested area. They are untouched natural ecosystems, where there are few or no signs of human impact and wildlife thrives as it has for centuries. These forests play a key role in conserving biodiversity, absorbing and storing carbon, providing fresh water, regulating local climate conditions and keeping humans healthy. They’re also home to many endangered species. 
Protecting Europe’s forests is not just the responsibility of individual Member States. It is a shared commitment at EU level. The European Parliament is at the centre of these efforts as a strong advocate for preserving primary and old-growth forests.

Safeguarding Europe’s ancient forests for future generations

Europe is one of the most forest-rich regions in the world: around 40% of its land area is covered by this ecosystem. Forests are essential for our health and wellbeing, and the health of the planet. They are rich in biodiversity and are hugely important in the fight against climate change. The EU is aware of the role forests can play in our future. That is why - in 2021 - the new Forest Strategy for 2030 was adopted.

The EU forest strategy for 2030

According to the European Commission, buildings consume 40% of the EU’s energy and are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. While the entire European Union is trying to limit its energy consumption, urgent measures must be taken to address this situation. In March 2023, Parliament adopted draft measures to increase the rate of renovations and substantially reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions.

A climate neutral building sector by 2050 - English

One language disappears every two weeks, and up to 90 % of existing languages could be gone by the turn of the century. Globalisation, social and economic pressures and political options can determine whether a language survives. Multilingualism is a cornerstone of the European project, with 24 official and 60 minority languages. In a digital era, ensuring digital language equality can help preserve linguistic diversity.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if everyone spoke the same language?

Efforts to curb carbon emissions are falling short. As climate change impacts become all too clear, geoengineering is again in the spotlight. Some see it as a last-resort option to fight climate change. Detractors highlight the risks and uncertainties. Will governments end up ‘tinkering with Earth's thermostat’?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we could engineer the planet to help fight climate change?

Covering nearly one third of the land surface of the globe, forests make a wide range of direct and indirect contributions to human well-being. Home to most of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, they also play an essential role in climate change mitigation, removing about a quarter of the CO2 that human activities add to the atmosphere. Worldwide, millions of hectares of forests and other types of vegetation burn every year. Fire dynamics are shaped by a complex set of factors, including human activity and climate.

EPRS policy podcast - Forest fires: Environmental stakes

Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Declining yields due to warmer temperatures and less rain, biodiversity loss, increased risk of floods… the impacts of climate change on European agriculture are irrefutable… But what impact does agriculture have on climate change? And what role can it play in helping address this challenge?

EPRS policy podcast - EU agricultural policy and climate change

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

The policies of the EU on climate and energy are described, as well as the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping the increase in global temperature well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to achieve 1.5°C.

The EU faces major challenges from the increased threats of climate change, with serious consequences in the energy sector, where urgent issues are arising concerning the national production mix of each Member State. The renewable energy share needs to be increased, and energy efficiency needs to be improved.

Climate change (2019-2020)

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

Worldwide, forests are being lost at the alarming rate of 800 football fields per hour. With deforestation being a critical contributor to climate change and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, it is becoming increasingly clear that a sustainable future cannot be achieved without tackling deforestation and taking measures to protect- and sustainably manage forests.&nbsp; The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;that 420 million hectares of forest — an area larger than the EU — were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020. It is estimated that&nbsp;EU consumption represents around 10% of global deforestation.

&nbsp;In October 2020, Parliament made use of its&nbsp;prerogative in the Treaty&nbsp;to ask the Commission to&nbsp;come forward with legislation to halt EU-driven global deforestation.

MEPs have already called for strengthening the overall climate benefits from forests and the forest-based value chain, namely CO2 absorption and carbon storage in wood-based products. Parliament also emphasises the need to increase funding for research into the substitution of fossil fuels and fossil-fuel materials. Forests and the entire forest-based value chain are fundamental to further develop of the circular bio-economy, which delivers important climate change mitigation and adaptation services.Parliament wants binding targets to protect and restore forest ecosystems, especially primary forests (those that have not been been affected by people's actions in recent times).

Forest protection

A Parliament delegation attends the 30th United Nations climate conference taking place in Belém, Brazil. MEPs will stress that all sectors must play a part in reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality, and will push for all countries to contribute their fair share towards providing adequate climate finance. MEPs will also advocate in favour of ending fossil fuel dependence, phasing out related subsidies and accelerating the energy transition.

COP30 in Bélem, Brazil

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) takes place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together global leaders and climate experts to establish a new post-2025 framework for climate finance and advance international climate action. The European Parliament participates from 18 to 22 November, contributing to discussions on EU climate commitments, financial support for sustainable development, and a fair climate finance goal that aligns with the polluter-pays principle and leverages diverse financial resources.

Key priorities at COP29 include defining finance mechanisms for developing countries, updating climate targets for 2025, and boosting global cooperation on carbon markets and emissions trading. The European Parliament underscores the importance of this conference as an opportunity for the EU to strengthen climate finance, particularly for vulnerable regions, and to support a stable mechanism for reliable, predictable climate funding.

European Parliament delegation to COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector are debated by plenary. 

The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved.
New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Member states also have to adopt measures to decarbonise heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling with fossil fuel boilers being completely phased e out by 2040.

Plenary Debate - Energy performance of buildings

The European Parliament in Strasbourg switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour Day 2025

The European Parliament in Strasbourg switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour Day 2025.

ENVI - Conference ' From Promise to Action: 10 years of the Paris Agreement '

ENVI trilogue - EU 2040 climate target

EP Plenary session - Outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference - Belém (COP30)

COP30 - The 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, Brazil

COP30 - The 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, Brazil.

Participation of the European Parliament delegation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)

This News item shows the switch off the European Parliament building in Strasbourg on the occasion of the Earth Hour Day 2026. Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The event is held annually, encouraging the individuals, communities, and businesses to switch off non-essential electric lights, for one hour as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

Earth Hour Day 2026: the European Parliament in Strasbourg switches off its lights

Five COD LEX texts are signed on 11 March 2026 by President METSOLA and Marilena RAOUNA, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Cyprus Presidency. Directive on electric vehicle supply equipment, compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters; Regulation on cooperation among enforcement authorities responsible for the enforcement of Directive on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain; Regulation on EU designs - codification; Regulation on implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products; Regulation establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality (European Climate Law 2040 Targets).

Lex Signing Ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs vote on: Amending the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027; Request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron; Amending certain agricultural products Regulations as regards certain market rules and sectoral support measures in the wine sector and for aromatised wine products; Making available on the market of measuring instruments: electric vehicle supply equipment, compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters; Bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products; Framework for achieving climate neutrality; European Union designs; Appointment of the Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank; European Central Bank – annual report 2025.

Voting session, including vote on climate neutrality and ECB annual report

This infoclip shows footage of Amazon rainforest vegetation and examples of its rich biodiversity from Belem, Brazil. The EU is committed to protecting and restoring biodiversity, as agreed in the Global Biodiversity Framework. Among numerous actions, the European Parliament has adopted legislation that aims to make sure European consumption does not cause deforestation in other countries. Belém of Pará is the gateway to the Amazon River and lies on the Pará river, which is part of the greater Amazon River system. Due to its location in the Amazon, tropical rainforest is the natural vegetation in and around the city. The Amazon represents more than half the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazonian rainforests have unparalleled biodiversity and more than one-third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest.

Infoclip: Rainforest biodiversity in Brazil

Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, closes the debate on the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP 30). Parliament adopted its demands ahead of the COP30 on 23 October 2025. An official delegation led by Chair Lídia Pereira (EPP, PT) and Vice-Chair Mohammed Chahim (S&D, NL) is in Belém, Brazil, between 17 and 21 November to participate in the UN COP30 Climate Change Conference. The 30th UN climate conference takes place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. COP30 focuses on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, the presentation of new national action plans (through “nationally determined contributions” or NDCs) and the progress on the finance pledges made at COP29.

Outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP 30): closing statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, opens the debate on the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP 30). Parliament adopted its demands ahead of the COP30 on 23 October 2025. An official delegation led by Chair Lídia Pereira (EPP, PT) and Vice-Chair Mohammed Chahim (S&D, NL) is in Belém, Brazil, between 17 and 21 November to participate in the UN COP30 Climate Change Conference. The 30th UN climate conference takes place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. COP30 focuses on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, the presentation of new national action plans (through “nationally determined contributions” or NDCs) and the progress on the finance pledges made at COP29. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP 30): opening statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

This News items shows extracts from the Joint EP-EESC event - "Ten Years after Paris Agreement" with the participation of Mohammed CHAHIM (S&D, NL), Vice-Chair of the EP Delegation at the COP30 in Belém (Brazil).

EP Delegation to COP30 - Belém (Brazil) - Joint EP-EESC event - "Ten Years after Paris Agreement" with the participation of Mohammed CHAHIM (S&D, NL), Vice-Chair: extracts

This news items shows footage of the city of Belém and extracts from the closing statements by Lídia PEREIRA (EPP, PT), Chair of the EP Delegation. An official delegation led by chair Lídia Pereira (EPP, PT) and vice-chair Mohammed Chahim (S&D, NL) has been in Belém, Brazil, from 17 to 21 November to attend the UN COP30 Climate Change Conference. The European Parliament adopted its demands ahead of this year’s global climate talks on 23 October 2025. At the COP, MEPs meet with ministers, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, leaders of international climate organisations and other delegates.

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