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3.39. In the area of biodiversity, as regards the implementation of the Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species , the EU adopted Commission Implementing Regulation updating the list of invasive alien species of Union concern increasing the number of invasive alien species of Union concern subject to the restrictions to 49 and Commission Delegated Regulation on risk assessments in relation to invasive alien species specifying the elements to be covered by the risk assessments.

3.40. Furthermore, the European Commission adopted the Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World's Forests. The overall aim is to protect and grow the world's forest cover to improve public health and livelihoods. This is in line with the EU's broader objective to halt global forest cover loss by 2030 and with the EU's existing international commitments. Halting deforestation and forest degradation, combined with sustainable restoration, re- and afforestation activities, provide opportunities for economic development. This requires putting a particular emphasis on the sustainable production and consumption of agricultural and forest-based products.

3.41. The EU has put climate action as a central policy objective. The EU is on track to keep its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions well below the target and finalised the legislative framework to deliver on its objectives for 2030. This should allow the EU to adopt an ambitious long-term strategy, striving for climate neutrality in line with the Paris Agreement and confirming Europe's commitment to lead in global climate action to the UNFCCC by 2020. Transitioning to a low greenhouse gas emission, resource efficient, and climate resilient economy will require a transformative effort demanding a fundamental shift in technologies, energy systems, business and investment behaviour, and ultimately, in society as a whole.

3.42. The climate and energy framework was revised upwards in 2018 setting three updated key targets for the year 2030: at least a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from the 1990 level: at least a 32% share for renewable energy and at least a 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency. Both the renewable energy and the energy efficiency targets are subject to an upward review clause by 2023.

3.43. A transparent and dynamic governance process has been developed to help deliver the Energy Union, including the 2030 climate and energy targets, in an efficient and coherent manner. This approach for the period up to 2030 helps ensure regulatory certainty for investors and coordinate EU Member States' efforts.

3.44. In 2018, the EU adopted a directive revising the EU Emission Trading System for the period 2021-2030 (so-called "phase 4") , including a reduction of the number of quotas by 2.2% per year from 2021, instead of 1.74% at present. It includes strict, predictable and equitable rules to prevent risks of carbon leakage.

3.45. The EU Clean Energy Package sets the EU energy efficiency and renewable energy ambitions for the 2030 horizon. It also updates the rules that govern the functioning of the internal electricity market and the transmission and distribution grids.

3.46. The package, proposed by the European Commission in November 2016, included several legislative proposals (...)
a. The Regulation on Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action aims to set up a governance system allowing the EU Member States to achieve the 2030 objectives and targets, for energy and climate in a coherent and most efficient way. It creates more transparency and predictability, also for investors. It aims to significantly reduce the administrative burden for national and EU stakeholders;

3.46. The package, proposed by the European Commission in November 2016, included several legislative proposals, (...)
b. Electricity market design legal acts - Electricity market Regulation and the Electricity market Directive; the Regulations on Risk Preparedness and on the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) - will make the energy market fit for the future and allow for new flexibility in the energy system with a view to facilitating an increased uptake of renewable energy. The new rules are designed to empower energy consumers to play an active role in driving the energy transition and to fully benefit from a less centralised, and more digitalised and sustainable energy system. The new rules not only enable the active participation of consumers but they also put in place a strong framework for consumer protection. By allowing electricity to move freely to where it is most needed, energy generation will be optimised and society will increasingly benefit from cross-border trade and competition, thus keeping energy costs and prices in check.

3.46. The package, proposed by the European Commission in November 2016, included several legislative proposals, (...)
c. The revised Renewable Energy Sources Directive introduces a new approach to address emissions from indirect land-use change ("ILUC") associated to the production of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels. It includes a binding renewable energy target for the European Union for 2030 of 32% with an upwards revision clause by 2023. The rules also serve also to create an enabling environment to accelerate the penetration of renewable energy, as well as public and private investment in innovation and modernisation in all key sectors. The criteria determining high ILUC-risk feedstock for biofuels and the criteria for certifying low ILUC–risk biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels are detailed in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/807;