Date released: February 05, 2020
here. The EPA is hosting Dr Artur Runge-Metzger, Director of DG Climate Action of the EU Commission, to speak as part of the EPA Climate Lecture Series on Thursday 6th February. Dr Runge-Metzger, will speak about the European Green Deal, Europe’s new ambitious growth strategy and give insights into how it will deliver EU Climate Neutrality.
The Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. The European Green Deal was the first policy paper of the new von der Leyen Commission adopted in mid-December 2019.
Dr Runge-Metzger said:
“The European Green Deal sets out the first set of around fifty major regulatory and supporting initiatives to be kicked off within the coming two years. They will cover a broad array of EU policies in the fields of climate, energy, industry, mobility, agriculture/forestry, environment, sustainable finance, investments, taxation as well as external relations including trade.
No doubt, this will require a major transformation and modernisation of the European economy and society within the next three decades that leaves nobody behind.”
Laura Burke, EPA Director General commented:
“The goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is both inspirational and challenging. It is what science tells us is needed if we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and avoid dangerous and irreversible climate impacts. There are challenges but also opportunities and multiple benefits for Europe and Ireland. Ireland’s response has to be clear and robust yet sensitive to societal issues and concerns ensuring nobody is left behind.
Dr Runge-Metzger, is at the forefront of this policy development and we look forward to hearing his insights on the European Green Deal’”.
Notes to Editor
Artur Runge-Metzger is a Director at the DG Climate Action of the EU Commission, a position he has held since January 2016, covering developing domestic and international climate strategies; overseeing the governance of EU climate action; regulating greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting innovation and modernisation in the EU’s energy and industrial sectors.
For twelve years he led on climate strategy and international climate negotiations including the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Dr Runge-Metzger has held various Commission assignments in Sarajevo, Brussels and Harare. He holds a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of Gottingen.
This free event requires registration and tickets can be booked at Eventbrite. The event will also be live streamed here.
People can also follow the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #ClimateLecture2020.
Title: The European Green Deal: Striving to be the First Climate-Neutral Continent
Date/Time: 6 February 2020. Registration and refreshments from: 18:00. Lecture at 19:00
Venue: The Round Room, Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
