Speaking after today’s unveiling of the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ proposals, Irish Green MEPs Ciarán Cuffe and Grace O’Sullivan expressed cautious optimism about the package of legislative measures unveiled by the European Commission to progress the European Green Deal. The ‘Fit for 55’ proposals will play a key role in setting the EU on course to meet emissions targets, and will be debated by the European parliament over the coming months.Record global temperatures in recent days have focused the minds of decision-makers on tackling climate change and passing laws to ensure warming is limited to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Legislators are saying that ambitious targets and robust laws are needed to tackle climate change and protect future generations.The 'Fit for 55' legislative package outlines the European Commission’s road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 55% by 2030 from a 1990 base year. Containing 13 files, the climate-focused set of proposals covers a whole series of policy areas ranging from a jet fuel tax, land use, forestry, updates to directives such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and an emissions trading scheme.Ciarán Cuffe, Green Party MEP for Dublin said: “It is good to see the proposals for the Fit for 55 package finally on the table. We have witnessed record temperatures in Canada and the USA in recent weeks, and dangerous heatwaves in Pakistan and elsewhere. This underpins the imperative to act, and act fast. 'Fit for 55' is an opportunity to get Europe’s climate policy right and help us reach our target goals of slashing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. In practical terms, this will mean better insulated homes and lower energy bills, phasing out of fossil fuels and more charging points for electric vehicles. It will also see the introduction of a jet fuel tax, ensuring the biggest polluters of harmful greenhouse gases pay for the environmental damage they cause. The financial burden of climate change cannot be left to ordinary people and workers. Essentially, 'Fit for 55' is a road map to fundamentally changing how our economy and society works. Over the next few years, I will be working with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure the legislation is ambitious, follows the science and is fair."Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party MEP for Ireland South said: "I join my colleague Ciarán Cuffe in a cautiously optimistic welcome of the 'Fit for 55' package today. In order to move forward in tackling emissions, we must see the EU living up to the ambitions of the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in a meaningful way that avoids ‘greenwashing.’ It’s vital that robust accountability is enshrined in all areas of climate and energy law. A revamp of regulations around land use, land use change and forestry are to be broadly welcomed, as are some other ambitions around forestry such as stronger governance in the protection of primary and old-growth forests. I also welcome ambitions around decarbonising the shipping industry to ‘green’ the maritime space. However, the roll-out of these ambitions must be genuinely ‘green’ and remain focused, first and foremost on achieving overarching targets around emissions, rather than pandering to lobby pressures or sectoral interests."