Main objectives reached by the December European Council: recovery plans and emission reduction goal agreed

 

On 11-12 December 2020, EU leaders reached a historic agreement on the recovery package and on the 55% emissions reduction goal.

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) together with the Next Generation EU recovery instrument of €750 billion, will allow the EU to provide €1.8 trillion of funding over the coming years to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the sectoral EU funding programmes are expected to be adopted in early 2021 and will apply retroactively from the beginning of 2021.

HOTREC calls on Member States to include tourism at the centre of the recovery plans so that the hospitality sector reaches the level of digital, sustainability and skills that is required for the next decade.

Moreover, and to meet the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement, the European Council endorsed a binding EU target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

HOTREC welcomes the target as part of the EU Green Deal. But is counting on the necessary EU and national funding to pursue the goals. Only in this way, micro-enterprises and SME’s will be able to renew buildings; reduce the carbon footprint; become more energy and water resources friendly.