Trends and Projections in Europe 2021
Climate change mitigation
Subtopics
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times
Climate change is already happening: temperatures are rising, drought and wild fires are starting to occur more frequently, rainfall patterns are shifting, glaciers and snow are melting and the global mean sea level is rising. To mitigate climate change, we must reduce or prevent the emissions linked to human activities.
Explore climate and energy data and country profiles.
The new site provides direct access to data and analysis on key areas for achieving climate neutrality, based mainly on official information regularly submitted by European countries to the European Environment Agency.
National greenhouse gas policies and measures in Europe
How many policies and measures (PaMs) did the European Member States implement or plan to implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What type of policies, affecting which sectors have been primarily reported? Were the European Union policies driving the development of national policies? The European Environment Agency's viewer explores PaMs reported by Member States under the EU Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation.
The cleanest cities in Europe in terms of air quality during 2020 and 2021 were Umeå in Sweden, and Faro and Funchal in Portugal according to the updated European city air quality data viewer published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. In addition to the viewer, the EEA also published two reports looking at emissions of air pollutants, targeted by different EU and UNECE requirements.
Sewage treatment can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a zero-pollution future by becoming more resource efficient and contributing to the circular economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today.
Growing transport volumes have been driving Europe’s road transport emissions up in the past two decades. A European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published today, shows how total greenhouse gas emissions from both passenger cars and heavy goods vehicles have increased in Europe, despite better engine efficiency and use of biofuels.
Published: 31 May 2022
Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2020 and inventory report 2022 Submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat
Published: 12 Jan 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on carbon emissions in Europe. In 2020, emissions from stationary installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) declined by 11.4% (surpassing the 9% decrease seen in 2019). Aviation was even more acutely impacted. The risk of a rebound in emissions remains, and we must take further measures to bring ETS emissions onto a path to achieve climate neutrality. Reduced demand resulted in more allocations than emissions, but carbon prices recovered quickly.
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The cleanest cities in Europe in terms of air quality during 2020 and 2021 were Umeå in Sweden, and Faro and Funchal in Portugal according to the updated European city air quality data viewer published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. In addition to the viewer, the EEA also published two reports looking at emissions of air pollutants, targeted by different EU and UNECE requirements.
Making Europe’s sewage treatment plants more efficient and circular can help meet zero-pollution targets
News 05 Jul 2022Sewage treatment can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a zero-pollution future by becoming more resource efficient and contributing to the circular economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today.
Growing transport volumes have been driving Europe’s road transport emissions up in the past two decades. A European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published today, shows how total greenhouse gas emissions from both passenger cars and heavy goods vehicles have increased in Europe, despite better engine efficiency and use of biofuels.
Continued drop in EU’s greenhouse gas emissions confirms achievement of 2020 target
News 31 May 2022The European Union continued to record substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions in 2020, posting an 11% drop compared to 2019, according to the latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency. The data confirms a 30-year downward trend which led to the EU achieving its 2020 target to reduce emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels.
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2021 was marked by Covid-19 and climate change impacts. Faced with higher energy prices and health concerns, Europe’s recovery requires difficult decisions in 2022. Delayed action or lower ambitions are more likely to have higher social and economic costs in the long run. Addressing social inequalities in this sustainability transition is the key to a better future for us all.
Besides providing trusted information on our environment and climate, the European Environment Agency (EEA) is working to improve its own environmental performance as an organisation. We interviewed Melanie Sporer who coordinates these efforts at the EEA, using the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
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Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2020 and inventory report 2022
Publication 31 May 2022Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2020 and inventory report 2022 Submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on carbon emissions in Europe. In 2020, emissions from stationary installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) declined by 11.4% (surpassing the 9% decrease seen in 2019). Aviation was even more acutely impacted. The risk of a rebound in emissions remains, and we must take further measures to bring ETS emissions onto a path to achieve climate neutrality. Reduced demand resulted in more allocations than emissions, but carbon prices recovered quickly.
For climate change mitigation policies to be successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions their potential social implications need to be considered and addressed. Together with multiple-level governance coordination and societal participation, these are the key success factors to achieve win-win social-climate policies, minimise the unfair impacts of carbon and energy taxes, and maximise environmental and health benefits.
The year 2020 saw remarkable progress towards meeting the EU's climate and energy targets. Rarely in the publication of the annual Trends and projections in Europe report has this executive summary presented such substantial progress as this edition does. Preliminary estimates indicate that, in 2020, we witnessed the full achievement — and even overachievement — of Europe's 20-20-20 goals for climate change mitigation, renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency gains. This keeps Europe well on track in its journey towards climate neutrality by mid-century.
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