### Europe and the Challenge of Climate Change: Initiatives and Objectives

In recent years, climate change has become one of the major global challenges. The European Union is committing to a series of measures to address this issue, promoting a more sustainable future aligned with emissions reduction goals. In this context, the **European Green Deal** emerges as the fundamental strategy to ensure climate neutrality by 2050.

### The European Climate Law: A Legal Commitment for the Future

A significant turning point was marked by the approval of the **European Climate Law**, which establishes that the target for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions must be raised to at least **55% by 2030**, up from a previous target of 40%. This legislation not only provides a clear direction but is legally binding, emphasizing the European Union’s commitment to combating climate change.

### An Emissions Trading System: The ETS

To achieve these targets, the European Union has implemented an **Emissions Trading System** (ETS), which represents one of the most significant elements of European climate policy. This initiative requires companies to hold permits for each ton of CO2 emitted, thus incentivizing emissions reduction through a market mechanism.

Currently, the ETS covers about 40% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, involving around 11,000 industrial plants and power stations. Recent reforms have increased the emissions reduction target to **62% by 2030** compared to 2005 levels. This represents a crucial step in aligning policies with the ambitions of the Green Deal.

### Transportation: Air and Sea Are Not Exempt

The **transportation** sector plays a significant role in air pollution, with aviation alone generating 13% of CO2 emissions. To tackle this challenge, the European Union has decided to reform the emissions trading system in the aviation sector, extending its application to all flights departing from the European Economic Area (EEA).

Additionally, the Parliament has established that pre-used cooking oil and hydrogen must gradually become the standard for aviation fuel, with the goal of achieving **70% sustainable fuel at EU airports by 2050**.

Similarly, the **maritime sector** will also be subject to emissions reduction obligations, with a target of reducing emissions by **2% by 2025** and **80% by 2050**.

### The Revolution in Land Transportation

Cars and vans significantly contribute to CO2 emissions, accounting for **15%** of the total in Europe. Thus, the European Union has determined that by **2035 no new internal combustion engine vehicles** will be allowed on the market, promoting zero-emission vehicles. To this end, adequate charging infrastructure will be created, with electric charging stations every 60 km and hydrogen refueling stations every 200 km.

### Emissions Reduction in Energy Production

The energy sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over three-quarters of the total. Reducing energy consumption and adopting renewable energy sources are crucial for achieving European climate goals. Among the measures adopted, the Parliament has approved new regulations to ensure a collective reduction in **energy consumption by 11.7%** by 2030.

Moreover, the EU has set the goal to achieve a share of…