Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) described the European Green Deal as "Europe's man-on-the-moon moment". With this plan, the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, protect and enhance nature, and sustainably transform the European economy and society. But what exactly is the European Green Deal? Which role does it play in our everyday life? And what challenges does it pose? In our podcast and webinar series "Green deal – Big Deal?" we take a critical look at these questions and discuss various aspects of the European Green Deal with experts from policy, business and science.

The European Commission's Communication on the European Green Deal is a document of only 24 pages, but its contents represent a seismic shift in European policy: If the ambitious targets are to be met, every major aspect of the European economy – from transport to food production – must be transformed and economic growth decoupled from resource use. The European Green Deal paints a social vision for justice and prosperity in which no one is left behind. Citizens should enjoy health and well-being and be protected from environmental risks.

Bringing the European Green Deal to life encompasses a variety of activities. It includes new legislative efforts as well as revisions of existing laws and policy instruments. Several actions need to be realised at the European, national and local level. Some initiatives, such as the European Climate Pact, invite citizens to get directly involved in the implementation of the European Green Deal in their communities. Many of the proposed initiatives interact and intersect with each other. The European Green Deal is a truly transformative undertaking that requires us to re-imagine the ways we live, work and play. Due to different starting points and political profiles, the 27 EU Member States do not always agree on the proposed measures.

Are you interested in environmental issues or European policy? Would you like to understand what the European Green Deal is and how will it impact our lives in the years to come? Then you have come to the right place. Together with exciting interview guests, our podcast hosts – Aaron Best and Ewa Iwaszuk from Ecologic Institute – will help you make sense of the European Green Deal's complexity. In a series of podcast episodes, we will help you understand the significance of different measures by focusing on specific themes that are relatable and relevant to all of us. We will talk about topics such as sustainable fashion, the future of cities and how will our diets look like in 2050.

Listening is nice, but not enough for you? You are in luck! In addition to the podcast series, we are organizing a series of eight online events, targeting young Europeans aged 18-35. Enter the dialogue with us and our invited experts. We are keen to hear your questions, suggestions and ideas and discuss them together.

You can find all podcast episodes on our website.

Are you on board? Sign up for our mailing list and we'll keep you up to date with news about our podcast and upcoming online events.

This project is part of the European Environment Initiative (EURENI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. The contents of the podcast do not represent the views of the BMUV.