The EU, a world leader in fighting climate change
Briefing
29-05-2018
The European Union is at the forefront of international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus safeguard the planet's climate. Greenhouse gases (GHG) – primarily carbon dioxide but also others, including methane and chlorofluorocarbons – trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Higher temperatures then act on the climate, with varying effects. For example, dry regions might become drier while, at the poles, the ice caps are melting, causing higher sea levels. In 2016, the global average temperature was already 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels.
Briefing
External author
Klugman, Cornelia;
About this document
Publication type
Policy area
Keyword
- AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
- deterioration of the environment
- ENERGY
- energy efficiency
- energy policy
- ENVIRONMENT
- environmental impact
- environmental policy
- EU Emissions Trading Scheme
- EU environmental policy
- EU institutions and European civil service
- European Environment Agency
- EUROPEAN UNION
- forestry
- forestry policy
- greenhouse gas
- international affairs
- international agreement
- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- renewable energy
- soft energy