Recital 1

(1)The European Green Deal, as set out in the Commission communication of 11 December 2019, launched a new growth strategy for the Union that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy. It reaffirms the Commission’s ambition to make Europe the first climate-neutral and zero pollution continent by 2050 and aims to protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts, while ensuring an inclusive, fair and just transition, leaving no one behind. Furthermore, the Union is committed to ensuring the full implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council ³ and of the 8th Environment Action Programme, established by Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council ⁴ , and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.