The EU ‘Fit for 55’ Package Explained, Along With Its Potential to Spur Litigation

May 9, 2023

As we have been regularly reporting, the European Union is pursuing major changes in its climate policy. The next significant development is a new legislative policy package, dubbed “Fit for 55.” The planned reforms would amend existing EU legislation such as the European Union Emissions Trading System and introduce new legislation regarding renewable energy, transport and land use, all in furtherance of the EU’s target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Regardless of their final form, however, the “Fit for 55” reforms may lead to litigation, according to a recent report, “Climate change law in Europe: What do new EU climate laws mean for the courts?” by The Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP), a joint effort by the University of Leeds and the London School of Economics and Political Science. The report suggests that litigation often has accompanied European climate efforts and that “Fit for 55”-linked litigation is likely to follow suit.

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