Delving into the European Green Deal
The European Green Deal (EGD) promises a new era of EU climate policymaking. It sets the EU on a path to climate neutrality or net-zero emissions by 2050 and to do so, covers all economic sectors. This module aims at helping you understand the European Green Deal, its objectives, and how the EU is planning to reach those objectives.
The module consists of two parts: (1) a video lecture on the EGD that outlines its objectives and its structure; and (2) a video in which a leading academic discusses the European Green Deal and its key aspects.
Module outline
- Video lecture on the European Green Deal;
- A quiz based on the lecture;
- Video exercise based on 'How Green is Your Deal?' Podcast Episode 1 with Sebastian Oberthür;
- Reflection exercise based on the two provided videos;
- Further material (optional)
Concepts relevant to Module 2:
Biodiversity, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Circular economy, Climate Law, Climate Neutrality, Climate Policy Integration, Decarbonisation, Ecosystem Services, Energy Poverty, EU ETS, European Green Deal, European Scientific Advisory Board, Green Growth, Just Transition, Low Carbon Society, Net-zero Emissions, Paris Agreement
Overview of European Green Deal
In 2019, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, its roadmap for transitioning the EU in a low-carbon society and reaching climate neutrality or net-zero emissions by 2050. The following video lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the European Green Deal, its structure and some of its instruments and strategies.
This video is complementary to the lecture of the previous module, and we recommend you to watch them in tandem. It picks off where the prior video ended. As the course is centred around the European Green Deal, this video will give you a firm basis for taking the rest of the course.
(We recommend you watch this in full screen)
Quiz
This quiz is based on the video you just watched. Write down the answer(s) you think is (are) correct. The results can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
1. What are the objectives of the European Green Deal?
- A) Climate neutrality by 2050, and 55% emission reductions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
- B) Climate neutrality by 2030.
- C) Climate neutrality by 2050, and 40% emission reductions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
- D) 55% emission reductions by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels).
2. What does the European Green Deal contain? (Note all that apply).
- A) Revisions of existing legislation.
- B) New legislative initiatives.
- C) Sectoral strategies.
- D) Emission reduction objectives beyond 2050.
3. What is the role of the European Scientific Advisory Board?
- A) Giving recommendations on EU climate legislation.
- B) Approving new EU climate policies.
- C) Representing the EU at international climate conferences.
Video: expert view on the European Green Deal
Watch the video interview with Sebastian Oberthür, professor on European climate and energy governance at the Brussel School of Governance, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the University of Eastern Finland. In it, he gives an overview of the European Green Deal's objectives and the instruments to reach them, where it differs from previous packages, what inspired the European Commission to formulate it and how it has been affected by COVID-19 and the energy crisis.
While watching the video, pay particular attention to similarities and difference between the European Green Deal and the EU's initiatives that were discussed in the previous module:
- How does the European Green Deal build on prior legislation? What does it add to it?
- Can you identify similar driving forces of climate policy development?
The video is part of the GreenDeal-NET podcast 'How Green is Your Deal?' and can also be listened to in on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Youtube.
Reflections
Take some time to reflect on what you have learned in the two previous modules. Think about how EU climate and energy policy has developed and the lessons learned.
- Can you distinguish trends in EU climate and energy policymaking? How have the EU's measures evolved over time?
- In the previous module, you reflected on drivers and barriers to climate action. Do you seem the same opportunities and challenges concerning more recent climate developments?
- Does the development of EU climate policy give you hope for the future? Why/why not?
Further material
If you are interested in learning more about EU climate history and the European Green Deal, you can have a look at the following resources:
- GreenDeal-NET Special Issue: Fit for 55 and Beyond. How is the EU turning climate ambition into action?
- Oberthür et al (2026). Anchoring climate policy integration: progress and limitations under the European Green Deal
- GreenDeal-NET Special issue: Comparing National Climate Policies and Laws
- Podcast Episode 23: How simple is your deal? Weakening climate policy under von der Leyen II with Jeff Rosamond
- Podcast Episode 16: How clean is your Deal? EU climate policy after the 2024 elections with Jeff Rosamond
- Podcast Episode 11: Past, present and future: lessons from 30 years of EU climate policy
- Oberthür, S., Moore, B., Bassoon, E. L., Dupont, C. Kulovesi, K., Parks, L., Peeters, M., Savaresi, A., Torney, D., Söebech, O., & Hough, A. (2023). Towards an EU Climate Governance Framework to Deliver on the European Green Deal.. Policy options paper.