Legal mandate

The European Climate Law, adopted in June 2021, sets out a binding objective of climate neutrality in the European Union by 2050 in pursuit of the long-term temperature goal set out in the Paris Agreement. It also provides a framework for achieving progress in pursuit of the global adaptation goal established in the Paris Agreement.

To support the achievement of these objectives, the European Climate Law also provides for the establishment of a European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change. The Advisory Board provides independent scientific advice and produces reports on EU measures, climate targets and indicative greenhouse gas budgets and their coherence with the European Climate Law and the EU's international commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Advisory Board is independent from Member States and EU institutions. It is established through an amendment of the founding regulation of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and is supported in its work by a secretariat hosted by the EEA. The work is conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Advisory Board. 

At the start of each year, the Advisory Board publishes its annual work programme. When formulating this programme, the Advisory Board consults the EEA Management Board.