“We recently adopted new targets for 2030 when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, [...] energy consumption, and [...] renewable energy, and we need to step up the effort to reach those targets”, affirmed Jorre De Schrijver, a climate change mitigation and energy expert at the European Environment Agency (EEA), during an online conference on Tuesday, 14 November.
And with good reason: the target for 2030 is a 55% reduction in relation to 1990 levels. Yet, “the current policies and measures that were reported by Member States in March 2023 [...] would only lead to a 48% [reduction]”, pointed out Mr De Schrijver. He went on to comment, “We need to make a big effort still”.
Nevertheless, the expert noted a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2021 and an increase in the share of renewable energies in 2020. Considerable progress has also been made in certain areas.
“We really see some [...] revolutions taking place before our eyes: for example, solar panels. In 2022, we saw an estimated increase of 28% across Europe [with regard to] solar-panel deployment. The same goes for electric vehicles [...]; electric vehicles are really taking off”, he reminded attendees.
Furthermore, on the question of EU Member States’ progress towards their respective targets, “most Member States are [reportedly] still on their trajectory towards 2030”, according to Jorre De Schrijver.
The conference also emphasised adaptation to climate change.
Angelika Tamásová, an expert in the field, noted a shift from strategic planning to implementation.
“We have seen that in the last 2 years—so, between the 2021 and 2023 reporting—more than half of the countries reporting provided a new climate risk assessment. [...] More than ten countries have some kind of climate law or other legislation covering or addressing adaptation”, she declared.
The EEA expert explained that nine countries have, likewise, drawn up new adaptation strategies or plans, which demonstrates increased awareness and a willingness to proactively assess the threats posed by climate change.
Ms Tamásová pointed out that the climate risks that are the most commonly reported by Member States are heat waves and droughts as well as heavy precipitation and storms.
Finally, the experts also mentioned the importance of [taking] action at the local level to support Member States’ progress. On this last point, Ms Tamásová and Mr De Schrijver were in agreement that individuals could play an important role in reducing emissions, notably by choosing more sustainable modes of transport and by adopting eating and energy habits that are more environmentally friendly. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)