The Fit for 55 package gives another opportunity for Intergraf to urge the European Commission to extend the scope of the EU Timber Regulation to printed products and support deforestation-free value chains.

Fit for 55: what is it?

Last month, the European Commission unveiled a package of proposals to align key EU policies with the new 55% emissions reduction by 2030.

Over the last year, the European Union had the ambition to further reduce emissions. This culminated in the Climate Law, adopted earlier in the year, which enshrines the objective of climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, the climate law sets a binding target of a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990.

The Fit for 55 package aims to translate these targets into the European policies needed to encourage Member States, citizens, and companies to adjust their activities accordingly.

The set of proposals presented combine the revision of the Emissions Trading System; increased use of renewable energy; greater energy efficiency; a faster roll-out of low emission transport modes and the infrastructure and fuels to support them; an alignment of taxation policies with European Green Deal objectives; measures to prevent carbon leakage; and tools to preserve and grow natural carbon sinks.

Fit for 55: a new EU Forest Strategy for 2030

The newly published EU Forest Strategy for 2030 is one of the initiatives to enhance the removal of greenhouse gas emissions by natural sinks. The strategy sets a vision and actions for increasing the quantity and quality of forests in the EU and strengthening their protection and restoration.

The new EU Forest Strategy for 2030 is one of the European Green Deal flagship initiatives that builds on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and addresses all the multiple functions of forests.

Using the momentum of the publication of the EU Forest Strategy, Intergraf addressed the EU Commissioner for Environment, repeating our call for an extension of the scope of the EU Timber Regulation to printed products. This is a key moment because in addition to the Forest Strategy, the Commission is expected to present a proposal on the review of the Timber Regulation and measures to support deforestation-free value chains.

In our letter, Intergraf again highlighted the undesirable fact that imported printed products continue to enter the European market without having to prove that they are legally safe. Intergraf called on the Commissioner to make the EU forest-based value chain a true deforestation-free value chain.

“Millions of euros worth of books, cards and other printed products continue to be imported on the European market without having to prove that they are legally sourced”
Intergraf letter to EU Commissioner for Environment requesting that the scope of the EU Timber Regulation be extended to printed products

 

Contact: Laetitia Reynaud

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