Liveable Leh is a project which aims to make Leh a liveable, resilient Himalayan town/city in the era of climate change initiated and funded by the European Union.

About European Union:

The European Union is a group of 27 countries in Europe.

These countries came together to make things better, easier and safer for people.

They agreed to work together and help each other.

The goals and values of the European Union

All countries that are part of the European Union work together
to make sure that:

• there is peace in Europe
• people have good lives
• things are fair for all people and nobody is left out
• the languages and cultures of all people
  are respected
• there is a strong European economy
  and countries use the same coin
  to do business together.

The countries of the European Union
share some important values.
For example, they work to make sure that all people are equal
and their rights are respected.

European Union climate action and the European Green Deal

The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners.

It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.

European Green Deal

Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from ambitiously cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

First climate action initiatives under the Green Deal include:

• European Climate Law to enshrine the 2050 climate-neutrality objective into EU law
• European Climate Pact to engage citizens and all parts of society in climate action
• 2030 Climate Target Plan to further reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030

By June 2021, the Commission will also review and, where necessary, propose to revise all relevant policy instruments to deliver additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

In early 2021, the Commission will adopt a new, more ambitious EU strategy on adaptation to climate change in order to strengthen efforts on climate-proofing, resilience building, prevention and preparedness, ensuring that businesses, cities and citizens are able to integrate climate change into their risk management practices. A public consultation will inform the design of the new strategy.

At international level, the EU will continue to lead international negotiations to increase the ambition of major emitters ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow (COP26).

The Commission is also keen to reduce its environmental impact as an institution and employer. It will present a comprehensive action plan in 2021 to reflect the objectives of the Green Deal across all its sites and become climate neutral by 2030.

Key EU legislation and policies

• EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, industry and flights within the EU
• National targets for sectors outside emissions trading, such as transport, buildings and agriculture
• Ensuring our forests and land contribute to the fight against climate change
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, e.g. through CO2 emission standards for vehicles
• Boosting energy efficiency, renewable energy and governance of EU countries’ energy and climate policies
• Promoting innovative low-carbon technologies
• Phasing down climate-warming fluorinated greenhouse gases
• Protecting the ozone layer
• Adapting to the impacts of climate change
• Funding climate action

International cooperation

The EU is actively working with other countries and regions to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

It promotes ambitious climate action in multilateral fora and in its bilateral cooperation with countries outside the EU.

The EU is also a top provider of international climate finance to support developing countries in their efforts to tackle climate change.

Aligning action in all areas

Fighting climate change and achieving the transition to a climate-neutral society will require significant investments, research and innovation, new ways of producing and consuming, and changes in the way we work, use transport and live together.

The EU is addressing this by aligning action in key areas, for example:

• Energy
• Environment
• Mobility and transport
• Regional policy and the low-carbon economy
• Sustainable finance
• Industrial policy
• Trade and sustainable development
• International cooperation and development
• Research and innovation on climate change
• Sustainable development goals