The Paris Agreement adopted by the United Nations in 2015 aims to strengthen the ability of countries to implement measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. Under the agreement, each country must determine, plan and regularly report on measures it takes to mitigate global warming.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development establishes 17 social, environmental and economic goals adopted by UN member states as the Action Plan to achieve sustainable development.
Each country must establish its action plan on implementing the UN SDGs and the integration of sustainable development in policymaking at the national level. National focal points have been set to ensure coordination of their implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP).
The EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan, adopted by the EU Commission in March 2018, establishes the EU’s commitment to channel private financial flows towards investments that support the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs. The Action Plan has become part of the European Green Deal, which includes the Sustainable EU Investment Plan – the investment pillar of the Green Deal.
In December 2019, the European Commission announced the European Green Deal, with the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral in 2050. It will review each existing law on its climate merits and introduce new legislation on the circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming and innovation.
The US National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is US federal law that mandates the consideration of environmental impacts before any federal action is undertaken that is likely to significantly affect the environment. It declares as national policy the creation and maintenance of "conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations”.