Answer given by President von der Leyen on behalf of the European Commission

7.7.2021

1. The Commission is aware of the Duarte Agostinho case pending before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Following consultations in the Council, the Commission requested on 25 March 2021 to be granted leave to intervene on behalf of the Union as an ‘other person concerned’ pursuant to Article 36(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Rule 44(3) of the Rules of Court.

In a letter of 7 April 2021, the ECHR notified the Commission that it was granted leave to intervene and allowed to present written observations before the Court.

The Commission submitted its written observations on 19 May 2021.

2. The Commission bases its defence of EU policy in the field of environmental protection on sound legal reasoning and science-based evidence. The term ‘climate emergency’ expresses the political will to fulfil the obligations under the Paris Agreement.

3. The Commission defends the level of ambition of the EU in tackling climate change by reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and reaching the climate-neutrality objective by 2050, in line with the updated Nationally Determined Contribution submitted by the EU on 17 December 2020. To achieve these goals, the Commission will also soon propose a comprehensive ‘fit for 55’ legislative package.