Decisive measures needed to meet EU’s environmental, climate and sustainability objectives
Despite steady progress in key areas, the European Union is only partially on track to achieve the EU’s 2030 climate, environment and sustainability objectives, according to the latest monitoring report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). More decisive measures are needed to boost a circular economy, reverse the declining trend in biodiversity and in reducing the EU’s consumption footprint.
The report found that the EU is not yet on track to meet many targets, with limited progress overall compared to the last report from 2023. This demonstrates the need for decisive action to ensure they can be met by 2030 by fully implementing the policies under the European Green Deal.
The assessment shows positive progress in certain areas including on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and in greening the economy, boosting green bonds and increasing eco-innovation. This shows promising signs with the EU largely on track to meet targets for the 8th EAP’s enabling conditions, a crucial area to support Europe’s shift to a sustainable future. Recent decreases in energy consumption, if sustained, also indicate this target could be met and highlighting the need to maintain decisive action to put the EU on track.
However, a majority of the updated indicators are either ‘likely off track’ in meeting the 2030 targets, with four deemed to be totally ‘off track’, including greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land-use change and forestry, doubling circular material use, ensuring 25% of farm fields are organically farmed, and significantly decreasing the EU’s consumption footprint. Reducing energy consumption and boosting consumption of renewable energy were also off track.
The report highlights the urgent need for bolder implementation of agreed legislation and pending legislation. It also recognises the importance of setting new initiatives where needed, such as boosting water resilience, and continue mainstreaming environmental policy to deliver systemic changes and deliver the long-term objective of living well, within planetary boundaries.
