The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published its second annual report on progress towards the objectives of the 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP). The report provides a comprehensive overview of how well the EU is doing. is making progress in meeting its environmental and climate goals by 2030.

8. EAP as a key framework for EU environmental policy

The 8th EAP is a legally binding framework that guides EU environmental policy until 2030. Its main objective is to ensure that people can live well within planetary boundaries by 2050 at the latestThe program aims to accelerate the green transformation and improve the state of the environment.

Main findings of the report

The EEA report assesses progress based on 28 headline indicators covering six thematic priority objectives:

1. Climate change mitigation:
   • The EU has made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant 8 % year-on-year decrease in 2023.
   • Nevertheless it will be difficult to achieve the goal of increasing carbon removal in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector.
2. Adapting to climate change:
   • EU likely to fail to meet targets reducing economic losses caused by extreme weather events and reducing the extent of areas affected by drought.
3. Regenerative circular economy:
   • EU does not lead to achieving goals significant reduction in material consumption and the total amount of waste produced.
   • Economic growth continues to contribute to increased material consumption and waste production.
4. Zero pollution and non-toxic environment:
   • EU is on track to achieve the goal of reducing premature deaths caused by air pollution.
   • Nevertheless not making progress in reducing nutrient losses to groundwater.
5. Biodiversity and ecosystems:
   • EU likely to fail to meet any of the four objectives monitoring related to biodiversity and ecosystems.
   • The reason is the ongoing pressures on land and sea use.
6. Environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption in the EU:
   • EU not making progress in reducing energy consumption, increasing the share of renewable energy and increasing the share of public transport.
   • Even the goal of achieving 25% of organic farming by 2030 is unlikely to be met.

Supporting conditions and their impact

The report highlights that although the “supporting conditions” for achieving the 8th EAP objectives are assessed most positively, were not sufficient to achieve the necessary changeThe green transition requires large-scale investments, but they are lower than the costs of inaction. A gradual approach is also important. removing fossil fuel subsidies.

Improving visibility in one area

In 2024, improved outlook only in the case of one indicator – energy consumptionRecent reductions in energy consumption are promising, but this trend needs to be sustained to achieve the goals.

Challenges and recommendations

The EEA report points out that pace of change in many areas must be significantly fasterto achieve the objectives of the 8th EAP by 2030. Many initiatives under the European Green Deal are still in the process of implementation and it is therefore too early to assess their full impact.

The EEA report provides an important overview of the EU's progress towards meeting its 2030 environmental targets. While progress has been made in some areas, the overall picture is worryingUrgent action is needed to ensure that the objectives of the 8th EAP can be met and that the EU can achieve a sustainable future. Spring

Glossary of key terms

• 8th EAP (8th Environmental Action Programme): Framework for EU environment and climate policy until 2030.
• Planetary boundaries: The environmental limits of the Earth, which if exceeded could cause sudden or irreversible environmental changes.
• Regenerative circular economy: An economic system that minimizes waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems.
• Material footprint: The total amount of raw materials needed to produce goods and services consumed by EU residents.
• Green economy: An economic activity that is focused on environmental protection, efficient use of resources, and reduction of emissions.
• Green bonds: Bonds intended to finance environmentally friendly projects.
• Eco-innovation: Innovations that reduce environmental impact and use resources more efficiently.
• LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry): Land use sector, land use changes and forestry.
• Land grabbing: Conversion of natural or semi-natural soil into artificial soil.
• Consumption footprint: The environmental and climate impacts of the consumption of goods and services by EU citizens, regardless of whether these goods and services are produced in the EU or outside it.
• CMUR (Circular Material Use Rate): Circular material utilization rate. Measures the proportion of material recycled and returned to the economy.
• Green employment: Employment in the environmental economy, the part of the economy that produces goods and services used in environmental protection and resource management.
• Fossil fuels: Fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which were formed from the organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
• EU Emissions System (EU ETS): The EU Emissions Trading System, which is a key tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.