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.

European Environment Agency

The EEA assessment, which takes stock of progress toward objectives set out under the so-called 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP). It sets the framework for EU environmental policy until 2030. Progress is assessed based on a set of 28 headline indicators and corresponding targets in areas that cover climate neutrality, a resource-efficient economy, reversing biodiversity loss and cutting pollution.

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.

"Our latest monitoring report shows that good progress is being made in several key areas of action needed for us to reach our long-term goals of living well within planetary boundaries, especially in the area of reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and boosting green finance. But decisive action is needed to put the EU on track elsewhere. This means bolder implementation of existing legislation, additional measures where needed and ensuring there is sufficient financing to deliver our climate, environment and sustainability objectives."

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.

The 8th Environment Action Programme (8EAP) reiterates the EU’s long-term vision to 2050 of living well and within planetary boundaries. It sets out priority objectives for 2030 and the conditions needed to achieve these. Building on the European Green Deal, the action programme aims to speed up the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, recognising that human wellbeing and prosperity depend on healthy ecosystems.

The 8EAP Decision, adopted in 2022, contributes to delivering the objectives set in the European Green Deal. The EAP is a legal tool to engage governments, administrators and stakeholders to contribute to achieving environmental objectives.