In December 2023, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published a monitoring report about the Environment Action Programme of the EU. This programme builds on the European Green Deal and aims to accelerate the green transition, as well as to protect, restore and improve the state of the environment. A number of 28 indicators have been defined and for each of these a target for 2030 has been set. To reduce net Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels is an example of such target.
The Agency gives in its report for each of the targets the likeliness of reaching it by 2030. It distinguishes between: very likely / likely but uncertain / unlikely but uncertain / very unlikely.
The report’s conclusions are alarming. Only a few targets are likely to be reached: 5 out of 28. Reaching the net GHG emissions’ reduction by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels is likely, but uncertain, which means that we need to stay very alert and continue to put pressure on national and European politicians.
Also 5 targets are very unlikely to be reached. These are the ones about GHG emissions from land use, land-use change and forestry; Energy consumption; Circular material use rate; Area under organic farming; Consumption footprint.
Worrying is the high number of 15 targets unlikely, but uncertain to be reached by 2030.
Stronger implementation by the Member States of existing laws, additional measures, and mainstreaming climate and environment in other policy domains are needed for faster progress, says the EEA report.
This monitoring report shows once again the urgent need for more policy action. European Grandparents for Climate will use the upcoming European Parliament elections in June 2024 to call upon all political parties and candidates to assume their responsibilities.
Read the full monitoring report here.