The set of headline indicators to monitor the EU’s progress towards its environmental and climate goals for 2030, with the 2050 long-term vision to ‘Living well, within planetary boundaries’ was adopted by the European Commission on Tuesday 26 July, according to the institution.
These indicators were required by the new Monitoring Framework of the Eighth Environment Action Programme (8th EAP) adopted in March 2022 (see EUROPE 12921/13).
They include the two or three most policy relevant and statistically robust indicators for each of the thematic priority objectives to 2030, namely: - climate mitigation; - climate adaptation; - moving towards an economy of wellbeing that gives back more to the planet than it takes from it; - pursuing the ambition of zero pollution, including harmful chemicals; - protecting, preserving and restoring biodiversity; - significantly reducing the main environmental pressures related to the EU’s material and consumption footprint.
The Monitoring Framework also includes five indicators to measure progress in addressing key environmental and climate pressures.
In addition, there are indicators of favourable conditions, such as sustainable financing, the ‘polluter pays’ principle and the phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies.
Systemic indicators of environmental well-being, integrating economic and social aspects, complete the scheme.
Using these key indicators, the Commission will report annually on the progress made, based on stocktaking done by the European Environment Agency from 2023 onwards. This report will facilitate an annual exchange between the Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament.
A mid-term review of progress towards the priority thematic objectives will be published by 31 March 2024 and a final evaluation by 31 March 2029. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)