Accelerating the EU's climate transformation: The European Green Deal's Fit for 55 Package unpacked

Abstract This article analyses the qualitative changes made to European Union (EU) climate law through the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, which aims to implement the EU's upgraded greenhouse gas emission reduction target of at least 55% compared with 1990 levels. The Package consists of 19 pieces of legislation. We investigate the Package's impact on key aspects of EU climate governance, including (a) ambition and stringency, (b) sectoral reach and (c) policy mix. We find that the Package has strengthened and detailed the EU's climate and energy targets and consolidated oversight of Member State implementation (ambition and stringency). The Package has also significantly expanded the reach of EU climate law to new sectors and policy areas. Finally, the Package has enriched the EU's climate policy mix, especially by introducing new economic and regulatory instruments. If fully implemented, the Package should enable the EU to achieve its 2030 emission reduction target. However, full implementation cannot be taken for granted given the current public backlash against climate policies in Europe. This enhances the importance of upgrading the EU framework for procedural climate governance, including with respect to public participation and deliberation. Overall, the Package must be complemented by further development of EU climate law and governance towards 2040 and beyond.