The EU is proving that we can pursue ambitious climate action while strengthening our competitiveness and our independence. We are reducing emissions, creating jobs in future-proof industries, and giving businesses the confidence to invest and grow.
Today’s Climate Action Progress Report confirms once again that we are on track to meet our 2030 climate target. Emissions in the EU continue to decline, with 2024 showing a decrease of 2.5% compared to 2023.
Climate neutrality is not just a slogan, it is also our commitment under the Paris Agreement. It provides strategic direction, offers clarity to our citizens and industries, and protects Europe from dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and unreliable partners.
Now, we must deliver. Every euro invested, every tonne of CO₂ avoided, and every partnership we forge brings us closer to a safer, cleaner and stronger Europe.
Europe is already experiencing the effects of climate change. 2024 was the warmest year on record globally. Across our continent, this meant record heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods took lives and caused severe economic losses. The accelerating impacts are making it increasingly clear: investing in climate policies is a smarter economic choice than facing greater impacts and paying the costs of recovery. Being resilient to climate change is essential for our safety and competitiveness and we must get better at preparing for risks and protecting our security and way of life.
The good news is that the EU is making progress. In 2024, EU greenhouse gas emissions fell again, by 2.5% compared with 2023. They now stand at over 37% below 1990 levels, or 39% when only domestic emissions are considered, while our economy is 71% larger. This continued decoupling of emissions from economic growth demonstrates that climate action and prosperity go hand in hand, strengthening Europe’s economic stability and energy security. The EU is on track to meet its 2030 target of reducing net emissions by at least 55%, if all Member States deliver on the measures already agreed at EU level and those set out in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
Behind this progress lies a well-designed and comprehensive climate policy architecture. The EU Emissions Trading System continues to deliver deep emission cuts in power and industry, now 50 % below 2005 levels, and has recently been extended to maritime transport. The revenues from the ETS provide important funding for innovation and modernisation of Member States’ energy and industry sectors to help them remain competitive while decarbonising. The Effort Sharing Regulation drives action in sectors such as buildings, transport, agriculture and waste. The Land Use Regulation seeks to preserve Europe’s carbon sink and reward sustainable management of land and forests. Together, these instruments form the backbone that will allow the EU to meet its 2030 target and stay on the path to climate neutrality by 2050, reducing our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and bolstering Europe’s strategic autonomy.
However, there are still some areas that need particular attention. Transport emissions are rising, and the land carbon sink remains fragile. Achieving the next milestones will depend on decisive implementation, stronger investment, and strong cooperation between the EU, national and local authorities, businesses and citizens. The launch of the Social Climate Fund, ahead of the new emissions trading system for buildings and transport, will be key to ensuring a fair transition and supporting households and small businesses, while defossilising our economy.
While we are focused on implementation in this critical decade, we are also laying the foundations for the decades to come. In 2025, the Commission proposed a new 2040 target to cut EU net emissions by 90%. The target was backed by Member States in the Environment Council, with a contribution of up to 5% of international credits. The Commission also adopted the Clean Industrial Deal, a roadmap to decarbonise European industry while maintaining competitiveness and good jobs. Our Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and the Net-Zero Industry Act are enabling investment in CO₂ capture, storage and new cutting-edge clean technologies. We are also preparing a comprehensive policy and legal framework for climate resilience and risk management to better protect people, ecosystems and infrastructure from worsening climate hazards.
The EU has submitted its NDC ahead of the COP in Belem, with an indicative range of 66.25% to 72.5% emission reductions for 2035 compared to 1990, that ensures that the EU stays the course to climate neutrality. The EU remains committed to global climate leadership, promoting ambitious climate action worldwide and supporting our partners in the transition to climate-neutral and climate-resilient economies. The EU leads by example, showing that deep emission reductions, innovation and social justice can reinforce each other.
This report provides a transparent and evidence-based assessment of where the EU stands on the path to climate neutrality and resilience. It shows that we are moving in the right direction, but also that we have to speed up. We must stay the course to build a safer, more independent and more competitive Europe, and keep building confidence that the transition works — for citizens, for industry and for Europe’s place in the world.
The good news is that the EU is making progress. In 2024, EU greenhouse gas emissions fell again, by 2.5% compared with 2023. They now stand at over 37% below 1990 levels, or 39% when only domestic emissions are considered, while our economy is 71% larger. This continued decoupling of emissions from economic growth demonstrates that climate action and prosperity go hand in hand, strengthening Europe’s economic stability and energy security. The EU is on track to meet its 2030 target of reducing net emissions by at least 55%, if all Member States deliver on the measures already agreed at EU level and those set out in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
Behind this progress lies a well-designed and comprehensive climate policy architecture. The EU Emissions Trading System continues to deliver deep emission cuts in power and industry, now 50 % below 2005 levels, and has recently been extended to maritime transport. The revenues from the ETS provide important funding for innovation and modernisation of Member States’ energy and industry sectors to help them remain competitive while decarbonising. The Effort Sharing Regulation drives action in sectors such as buildings, transport, agriculture and waste. The Land Use Regulation seeks to preserve Europe’s carbon sink and reward sustainable management of land and forests. Together, these instruments form the backbone that will allow the EU to meet its 2030 target and stay on the path to climate neutrality by 2050, reducing our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and bolstering Europe’s strategic autonomy.
However, there are still some areas that need particular attention. Transport emissions are rising, and the land carbon sink remains fragile. Achieving the next milestones will depend on decisive implementation, stronger investment, and strong cooperation between the EU, national and local authorities, businesses and citizens. The launch of the Social Climate Fund, ahead of the new emissions trading system for buildings and transport, will be key to ensuring a fair transition and supporting households and small businesses, while defossilising our economy.
While we are focused on implementation in this critical decade, we are also laying the foundations for the decades to come. In 2025, the Commission proposed a new 2040 target to cut EU net emissions by 90%. The target was backed by Member States in the Environment Council, with a contribution of up to 5% of international credits. The Commission also adopted the Clean Industrial Deal, a roadmap to decarbonise European industry while maintaining competitiveness and good jobs. Our Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and the Net-Zero Industry Act are enabling investment in CO₂ capture, storage and new cutting-edge clean technologies. We are also preparing a comprehensive policy and legal framework for climate resilience and risk management to better protect people, ecosystems and infrastructure from worsening climate hazards.
The EU has submitted its NDC ahead of the COP in Belem, with an indicative range of 66.25% to 72.5% emission reductions for 2035 compared to 1990, that ensures that the EU stays the course to climate neutrality. The EU remains committed to global climate leadership, promoting ambitious climate action worldwide and supporting our partners in the transition to climate-neutral and climate-resilient economies. The EU leads by example, showing that deep emission reductions, innovation and social justice can reinforce each other.
This report provides a transparent and evidence-based assessment of where the EU stands on the path to climate neutrality and resilience. It shows that we are moving in the right direction, but also that we have to speed up. We must stay the course to build a safer, more independent and more competitive Europe, and keep building confidence that the transition works - for citizens, for industry and for Europe’s place in the world.