One of the European Union’s most comprehensive climate policy packages, Fit for 55, will reach a major milestone by 2026. The legislative package aims to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, while putting the Union firmly on the path toward climate neutrality by 2050. European Commission
2026: The year implementation becomes reality
- CBAM – Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
From 2026, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will enter its full operational phase. This system introduces a carbon price on imports of carbon-intensive products, such as steel and cement, entering the EU. Wikipedia
The goal is to prevent carbon leakage and the relocation of production outside the EU due to stricter climate rules while encouraging global partners to adopt similar climate policies. CBAM represents a major step toward aligning international trade with climate action.
- ETS2 – Expansion of Emissions Trading
The existing EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) originally focused on power generation and heavy industry. Under Fit for 55, a new system, ETS2, will be introduced from 2027, extending carbon pricing to buildings and road transport, at least at the fuel supplier level. European Commission
This expansion will encourage reductions in fossil fuel use and accelerate the transition toward cleaner heating and mobility solutions.
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
Fit for 55 strengthens the EU’s commitment to increasing the share of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency across all member states. While these changes are being phased in gradually, by 2026 their effects will already be visible through growing renewable capacity and stricter building performance standards. REHVA
- Transport and clean mobility
Transport remains one of the EU’s most emissions-intensive sectors. While the original plan required all new cars to be zero-emission by 2035, regulatory adjustments introduced in 2025 added some flexibility for manufacturers. Reuters
Nevertheless, the overarching goal remains unchanged: achieving roughly a 55% reduction in vehicle emissions by 2030, supported by investments in electric mobility and charging infrastructure.
What will this mean for everyday life from 2026?
The implementation of Fit for 55 will have tangible effects on households, businesses, and national economies:
- Energy prices and fossil fuels: The introduction of ETS2 may influence heating and fuel costs, encouraging energy efficiency and the shift to renewables.
- Industrial competitiveness: CBAM aims to ensure a level playing field for EU industries while motivating global partners to raise their climate ambition.
Jobs and economic growth: Fit for 55 is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the green economy, though regional disparities may emerge, particularly in areas dependent on carbon-intensive industries. Euorpean Parliament
2026 – A pivotal year on the road to climate neutrality
Although 2030 remains the ultimate milestone, 2026 will be a crucial transition year, as key Fit for 55 measures begin to take full effect or deliver visible results. The activation of CBAM, the expansion of emissions trading, and stronger support for renewables will all help bring the EU closer to its climate objectives and its 2050 climate-neutrality goal.
At the same time, the Fit for 55 package continues to spark debate, as questions around economic competitiveness, technological readiness, and social fairness remain central to Europe’s climate transition.
