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The EU Green Deal: Turning the Goal into Action

The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives that aims to put the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Climate neutral activities are considered those activities which do not burden the climate, being not related to greenhouse gas emissions.

The green deal includes initiatives covering highly interconnected climate, environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and sustainable financing:

  • The regulation ‘Fit for 55’ aims to translate the ambitions of the Green Deal into law by reducing at least 55% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The package is a set of proposals to revise climate-, energy- and transport-related legislation and put in place new legislative initiatives to align EU laws with the EU climate goals. Тhe Council approved the agreement in May 2021. The regulation is now in force.
  • EU strategy on adaptation to climate change – The strategy outlines a long-term vision for the EU to become a climate-resilient society that is fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change by 2050. The measures set out in the strategy include: better gathering and sharing of data to improve access to and exchange of knowledge on climate impacts; nature-based solutions to help build climate resilience and protect ecosystems, and integration of the climate adaptation in macro-fiscal policies. In the beginning of 2022, the EU ministers called for the adaptation of civil protection systems from extreme meteorological events with a focus on: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
  • EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 – The strategy aims at helping the recovery of European biodiversity by 2030. This would bring benefits for people, the climate and the planet. The actions set out in the strategy include: extending protected land and sea areas in Europe; restoration of degraded ecosystems by reducing the use and harmfulness of pesticides; increase of financial support and better monitoring. Member states called for full integration of biodiversity objectives into other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
  • ‘Farm to fork’ strategy – The strategy aims at helping the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, by shifting the current EU food system towards a sustainable model. In addition to food security and safety, the strategy main goals are to: ensure sufficient, affordable and nutritious food within planetary limits; support sustainable food production; promote more sustainable food consumption and healthy diets.
  • European industrial strategy – The EU relies on European industry to lead the transitions towards climate neutrality. The aim of the EU industrial strategy is to support the industry in its role as an accelerator and enabler of change, innovation and growth along with strengthening its resilience and advancing Europe competitiveness.
  • Circular economy action plan – Decoupling economic growth from resource use and shifting to circular systems in production and consumption is key to achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050. The circular economy action plan envisages over 30 action points on designing of sustainable products, circularity in production processes and empowering consumers and public buyers. It is targeted to sectors such as electronics and ICT, batteries, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, and food.
  • Fair transition mechanism – Some EU Member States rely more on fossil fuels or have carbon-intensive industries that employ significant numbers of people. The EU has introduced a fair transition mechanism to provide financial and technical support to the regions most affected by the move towards a low-carbon economy. It will help mobilize at least €65-75 billion over the period 2021-2027 for: a/ people and communities – facilitating employment opportunities and reskilling, improving energy-efficient housing and fighting energy poverty; b/ companies – making the transition to low-carbon technology attractive for investment, providing financial support for and investment in research and innovation; c/ member states or regions – investing in new green jobs, sustainable public transport, digital connectivity and clean energy infrastructure. The Fund for a fair transition is the first pillar of the mechanism. It provides established tailored support to alleviate the social and economic costs resulting from the green transition for regions dependent on fossil fuels and high-emission industries. The Fund is established to support investment in: SMEs and new companies; research and innovation; clean energy technologies and emissions reduction; re-skilling of workers and job-search assistance.
  • Clean, affordable and secure energy – As 75% of the EU greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use and production, the decarbonisation of energy sector is a crucial step towards a climate-neutrality.  The European Union is working at several levels to achieve these objectives: a/ supporting the development and uptake of cleaner energy sources; b/ fostering integration of energy systems throughout the EU; c/ developing interconnected energy infrastructure via EU energy corridors; d/ revising the current legislation on energy efficiency and renewable energy, including their 2030 targets. Buildings are one of the largest energy consumers in Europe and are responsible for more than one third of the EU greenhouse gas emissions. In June 2021, EU endorsed the aim of the strategy to at least double energy-related renovation rates in the EU by 2030.
  • EU chemicals sustainability strategy – Chemicals are essential to modern living standards and the economy. In the same time, chemical substances can be harmful to people and the environment. Тhe EU chemicals sustainability strategy sets out a long-term vision for the EU chemicals policy, wherein the member states aim at: better protection of human health, strengthen the competitiveness of industry, and  support for a toxic-free environment.
  • Initiatives for sustainable and smart mobility – It is estimated that emissions coming from the transport sector will need to decrease by 90% by 2050 for the EU to reach climate neutrality. In line with the goals of the Green Deal, the Council is working on: revising rules concerning limits to CO2 emission from cars and vans, and increasing uptake of sustainable fuels in the aviation, road and maritime transport sectors.
  • Forestry strategy and deforestation-free imports – The Strategy is based on the the EU biodiversity strategy and forms a key part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The proposed measures include: a/ promoting sustainable forest management; b/ providing financial incentives for forest owners and managers to adopt environmentally friendly practices; c/ improving the size and biodiversity of forests, including by planting 3 billion new trees by 2030. New measures proposed by the Commission aim at reducing the EU impact on global deforestation, which have an impact on biodiversity and climate change.  The measures will guarantee that the products purchased, used and consumed by the citizens on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide.

Educational scenario

Measures to tackle climate change

“We are the first generation to feel the sting of climate change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it. ”

Jay Inslee, an American politician and economist


The two most commonly used approaches to tackle global warming and climate change are:

  • Mitigating climate change by taking action to reduce or prevent the further release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Such actions may include: improving energy efficiency, using energy-efficient appliances, reducing waste generation; transition to more sustainable models of production and consumption, etc. – Learn more,
  • Adaptation to climate changes that have already occurred. That includes diverse measures, targeting different components of the environment, human health and economic activities – Learn more.

The worrying consequences of the climate change on Earth have forced the international community to take actions for addressing the climate change effects.


Nutrition that helps tackle climate change


Preliminary discussion:

Share with students some of the scientific research and recommendations related to the food we eat every day and its impact on climate:

  • Raising cattle and sheep creates huge amounts of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas. Less frequent inclusion of this meat in the diet, preferable consumption of fish and chicken or vegetarian food can seriously reduce the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
  • The production of plastic products is based on the use of non-renewable energy sources and is accompanied by significant energy consumption. A plastic water bottle, for example, is usually used once, then thrown as a garbage, and it takes over 1,000 years to decompose it in natural conditions. That's why using a glass water bottle instead of a plastic one protects nature from pollution and at the same time helps to overcome climate change.
  • Growing and consuming your own fruits and vegetables and/or buying local organic agricultural production reduces transport costs and therefore the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
  • Composting (the transformation of food scraps, fallen leaves and grass clippings into fresh, nutrient-rich soil), in addition to being beneficial for nourishing the domestic garden, helps reduce household organic waste by about 20 to 30 percent.
  • Reducing the amount of food waste thrown into the garbage has a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Research by experts shows that each European citizen generates around 173 kg of food waste annually.

In class:

Present the video "The diet that helps fight climate change", using, if necessary, the automatic translation into Bulgarian.

Discuss the facts presented by the video in the context of the information provided by the preliminary discussion.

The diet that helps fight climate change


Show the video "10 Ways to Slow Climate Change" to the class. Discuss the 10 proposals presented in order to tackle climate change. At the end of the discussion, ask the class to answer the question: Which proposals have already been implemented in the students' families and which can find application in the future...

Present the video "Climate of Europe in 2050" to the class, using, if necessary, the automatic translation into Bulgarian.

Discuss:

  • How many degrees would the average temperature rise by, if no measures were taken (4oC)?
  • Which regions is the most unbearable heat expected in for the people living there (the regions of the Iberian, Apennine and Balkan peninsulas)?
  • Which part of Europe will see a decrease in precipitation and more intense drying of the soil (Southern Europe)?
  • How will the climate change affect heat waves passing through the European continent (increasing their intensity and duration)?
  • Which regions of Europe will climate change be most felt in during the winter period and what does this change mean (Northeastern Europe, less frost and snow cover)?
  • Which topographical part are climate changes occurring in faster and what are they manifested in (in the mountains, less snow, more precipitation and floods, shorter time for winter sports)?
  • How will the precipitation pattern in Europe change (more precipitation in winter in the north and less precipitation in summer in the south)?
  • What changes are expected in the urban climate (the northern cities climate will resemble the current climate of the southern cities in 2050)?

Explain that the disturbing consequences of Earth climate change have forced the international community to take action to address the impacts of climate change such as:

Encourage students to learn more about these measures described in the Klimadapt portal if you think their age is appropriate for working with such information on their own.

Explain to the class that climate change mitigation refers to actions for the reduction and prevention of the further release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Actions can be taken at individual, local or international level. Too often, however, some individuals and societies prefer someone else to do the job to mitigate the effects of climate change, as long as they themselves can benefit from that. So tackling climate change is a great example of the need for effective collective actions at all levels

Discuss specific measures and give examples of mitigation such as:

  • improving energy efficiency at home;
  • improving transport energy efficiency;
  • efficient appliances usage;
  • green energy utilization;
  • forests, soil and ocean protection.

Support students work by directing them to specific topics in the Klimadapt portal (Energy, Transport, Forests, Agriculture, Ocean) where more details could be found.

Study and discuss with students the information presented in Worksheet Consumer Society and Climate Change. Search the Internet for additional information about consumer attitudes in Bulgaria and Europe.

Discuss:

  • Is it possible to force limit the excessive consumption of goods and services, or is it more effective to use educational methods and information campaigns?
  • How would you comment on the North American Cree Indians proverb: "Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money."

Ask the students when they have felt happier: when they receive or when they grant a gift to a loved one? In which case have they been excited longer and stronger?

Present to the students the following situation: In a week, a person, very dear to them, will celebrate his/her birthday. What gift would they choose? Ask the students to think of and come up with suggestions for an interesting gift that is not material or at least not expensive.

Organize the class work into small groups so that each student can share their experience and suggestion. Give them 10-15 minutes to share their ideas, with the group choosing only one gift suggestion at the end. Make a presentation of the gifts chosen from each group and write them on the board. Discuss whether a valuable gift can be non-material and not necessarily expensive (for example, a new experience, a surprise, a handmade gift – drawing, collage or other). Is it possible for such a gift to be unique, valuable and unforgettable? Ask the class to choose one or two of the most interesting suggestions.

Remind them that modern people possess a huge amount of things that they do not use, where raw materials and energy are invested, which make a burden on the environment and the climate.

Professions that can help


Preliminary preparation:

Divide the class into 5 groups (or choose 5 volunteers) who will get acquainted with the information related to the professions:

You could increase the number of groups (volunteers) if you add some more of the professions listed below:

In class:

Organize a 7-10 minute presentation of each of the chosen professions. Have the groups/volunteers highlight their impact on the environment and climate, as well as the ways in which this impact can be mitigated or neutralized. Encourage students to be ingenious, creative and artistic in presenting the listed professions.


Climate change adaptation measures


Explain to the students that:

  • Human population has adapted to the natural environment throughout history by developing practices, cultures and livelihoods suited to local conditions. With the current rapid pace of climate change such as extreme temperatures, catastrophic rainfall and flooding, hurricane storms, etc., it is possible that societies will face challenges that they have not encountered and are not prepared for.
  • Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate actions to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause, or taking advantage of the opportunities that may arise.
  • Adaptation measures can be both large-scale (such as infrastructural changes in roads, coastal zones) and conducted at individual level or within a single household.

Brainstorm sequentially generating and recording ideas for adaptive measures related to:

  • Water (Rainwater collection; water storage and preservation techniques; water re-use; desalination; economical water use and irrigation efficiency);
  • Biodiversity (Creation of dedicated land corridors to help species migrate);
  • Agriculture (Adjustment of planting dates and crop varieties; crop relocation in other regions; development of drought-sustainable crops; improved land management, such as erosion control and soil protection by tree-planting);
  • Human health (Heat protection action plans development; provision of emergency medical services; improved climate-sensitive disease surveillance and control; provision of clean water and improved sanitation);
  • Tourism (Diversification of tourist attractions; relocation of ski tracks to higher altitudes and glaciers; artificial snow usage);
  • Transport (Prioritisation and reorganisation of transport types and usage of alternative eco transport; introduction of new standards and planning for roads, rail and other infrastructure to cope with warming and floods);
  • Energy – Strengthening of overhead transmission and distribution infrastructure; underground cabling for utilities; improvement of energy efficiency; use of renewable sources; reduced dependence on single sources of energy.
  • Construction (Adaptation of building regulations to future climate conditions and extreme weather events);
  • Ethics (Promotion of lifestyles tailored to increased sustainability and resilience to climate change).

The measures in parentheses are intended to support students work during brainstorming and are by no means exhaustive of the possibilities for other ideas.


"To have" or "To be"


Write on the board (or quote to the class) Kevin Kruse statement (former Deputy Attorney General of the United States): "Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.

Encourage students to share how they understand and appreciate this concept, giving examples related to their everyday lives.

Explain that according to the German psychoanalyst and philosopher Erich Fromm (1900-1980), the attitude of "having" orients a person toward material possessions and power and is linked to greed, envy, and aggression, while the attitude of "being" is directed toward the pleasure of shared experience and creative activity and is motivated by justice and humanism.

Make the transition from these philosophical generalizations to the realities of environmental protection and the threat of climate change. Remind students of the different levels of responsibility and action on climate change:

Explain that only united and focused efforts at all levels can produce the desired results to combat climate change. These results are extremely dependent on the actions of each one of us.

Challenge the students to decide for themselves which position they would choose regarding the climate: To have and receive (goods, money) or To give and be (an active and useful inhabitant of planet Earth).


Score: | 10
Question: | 10


To celebrate the World Climate Change Day (15 May), organize a campaign including:

  • cleaning, afforestation and other eco activities;
  • conducting a video week with the presentation of films dedicated to climate change and ways to limit it. Invite viewers of different ages and parents;
  • creation of information wall (or periodic electronic edition) with information materials on environmental and climate issues.

Make a comprehensive assessment of the environmental condition of the school in terms of energy efficiency and plan its gradual improvement. Look for partners such as institutions, companies and non-governmental organizations to implement activities to improve energy efficiency.


The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything. Albert Einstein

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About the portal

The informational and educational portal Klimadapt is intended for the dissemination of information, training of students, teachers and the general public, as well as for the organization of civil projects and campaigns dedicated to overcoming and adapting to climate change. Its creation took place within the project Changing with Climate, which is implemented by 10 partner organizations with the support of the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Program through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area /2014-2021/.

The Klimadapt portal includes a variety of informational and didactic materials (texts, videos, lesson plans, dilemmas, model stories and fairy tales, worksheets, experiments, tests, games, instructions on how to organize actions, etc.) that provide opportunities for implementation of a learning process and/or organising a variety of activities related to mitigation or adaptation to the occuring climate changes.

Portal Development

Information texts and structure, concept of the portal: Kliment Mindjov

Educational scenarios: Kliment Mindjov, Tatiana Miteva

Portal design and PDF files: Sylvia Magyar

Illustrations and graphics: Laszlo Falvay

Video adaptation: Ivan Kozhuharov

Translation from/into English: Irina Dobriyanova, Kliment Mindjov

Editing in Bulgarian: Galina Spassova

Programming: Daniel Mirea

Management of the "Changing with Climate" project: Mariana Bancheva, Violeta Nikolova

The portal uses photos from the iStock and Unsplash platforms, as well as “pro bono” provided materials from the photo and video library of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC).

Acknowledgements

The development of the Klimadapt informational and educational portal was made possible through the goodwill and cooperation of a wide range of specialists and organisations.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Dennis Meadows and his collaborators for the copyright for the Bulgarian language version of "The Climate Change Playbook", which includes 22 interactive games.

Nikolay Petkov researched and prepared information related to good Bulgarian and foreign practices in dealing with climate change. We thank him.

In the virtual library of the portal, informational and educational materials of various nature of various organizations, created years ago, but facing increasingly difficulty to find on the Internet, are included. In this regard, our thanks go to:

The informative and educational texts in the portal reflect facts and data from various international and Bulgarian sources: European Commission, European Environment Agency, World Health Organization, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); United States Environmental Protection Agency, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), World Bank, World Resources Institute,  Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria, Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, publications in BBC, The Guardian and other periodicals. The creators of the portal are responsible for the content and the way the information is presented and visualized.

Finally, but not least, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our sponsors from the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA FM) and the program operator at the Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria. Thank you!

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