The European Green Deal sets the overall roadmap for achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050 by tackling the threat of climate change while also growing economically and protecting people’s well-being. With the European Climate Law, the EU made climate neutrality by 2050 a legally binding goal, set an interim target of a net 55% emission reduction by 2030 and is working on setting the 2040 target. The Fit for 55 proposal aims to bring EU legislation in line with the 2030 goal.

The impacts of the 2022 gas and energy security crisis highlighted the importance of transitioning faster towards a clean and secure EU energy system.

Under the wider umbrella of the European Green Deal, Europe's 2030 policy ambitions include:

• Reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030;
• Improving the share of renewable energy use;
• Increasing energy efficiency;
• Setting a more ambitious and cost-effective path to achieving climate neutrality by 2050;
• Stimulating green job creation and continuing the EU’s track record of cutting greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy;
• Providing more opportunities to recharge or fuel vehicles with alternative fuels, and providing alternative power supply for ships and planes;
• Encouraging international partners to increase their ambition to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C and avoid the most severe consequences of climate change;
• Introducing a waste hierarchy for proper waste management that includes prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and disposal.

To accelerate this transition, Europe must ensure that investments and finance support sustainability. Energy and mobility sectors especially must distance themselves from unsustainable technologies.

Is Europe on track towards its 2030 targets?

Greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 2% in 2022 across the European Union, compared to 2021 levels according to estimates our latest ‘Trends and Projections’ report. However, despite gains made in emissions reductions, renewable energy and energy efficiency, the report cautions that accelerated action is urgently needed to meet the EU’s ambitious climate and energy targets. 

The EU has reduced net greenhouse gas emissions including international aviation, by 31% compared to 1990 levels, while simultaneously fostering economic growth. Against the backdrop of soaring natural gas prices, 2022 witnessed a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, driven by substantial decreases in the buildings and industrial sectors, while emissions from energy supply and transport saw an increase. 

Methane and its warming potential

While emissions of methane across the European Union have decreased over past years, the overall reduction in emissions needs to accelerate to meet 2030 and 2050 EU climate objectives. Increased global efforts to reduce methane emissions would also be needed to mitigate global warming in the short term.

According to the latest available official data, emissions of methane were down by 36% in the EU in 2020 compared with 1990 levels. The largest reductions in emissions occurred in energy supply, which includes energy industries and fugitive (leaked or uncaptured) emissions (-65%), waste (-37%) and agriculture (-21%).

Our climate data to monitor Europe's progress

A robust reporting system is required to monitor progress toward EU climate change mitigation targets. The EEA is a key player in setting up these reporting systems, providing guidance to Member States on how to report and quality check the input. The EEA collects and provides access to the following types of data:

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories;
• Greenhouse gas projections;
• Policies and measures;
• National systems for GHG policies and measures and projections;
• Use of EU emissions trading system auctioning revenues;
• Information on support to developing countries;
• National climate change adaptation actions;
• Ozone-depleting substances;
• CO2 emissions from new passenger cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles.

Much of the data comes from datasets collected by the EEA. This data is then used to fulfil the EU's own targets and to allow the European Commission to assess whether the Union is on track to meet its international pledges made in the United Nations setting.

How is Copernicus helping?

In simple terms, photosynthesis is the process through which trees and plants capture carbon from the atmosphere and release oxygen. This natural process happens to be one of our best allies and the most efficient technology to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. With the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, we get detailed information on what grows on the ground.

Knowing where vegetated areas are and what type of vegetation is growing there is crucial for calculating net greenhouse gas emissions. The CLMS has a suite of vegetation-related data products—such as the High-Resolution Vegetation Productivity Parameters and its trio of high resolution forest monitoring products—that provide information on living land cover and land use across Europe. This data can assist local, regional, and national governments in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions.