Climate

Data show that summer 2022 was the warmest ever recorded in Europe, and it was not an exception. Our indicator shows that the global mean near-surface temperature between 2012 and 2021 was 1.11°C to 1.14°C warmer than the pre-industrial level, which makes it the warmest decade on record. Scientific evidence is clear that this rise in temperature is due to the greenhouse gases that we are releasing into the atmosphere.

Scientists often describe an increase of 2°C with respect to the pre-industrial period as the threshold for when there will be catastrophic consequences for the climate and the environment.

Still, countries at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh reiterated the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at a global temperature increase of 1.5°C compared to 2°C and agreed to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.  

Across the EU, great action has been taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This is part of a worldwide effort that involves mitigation and adaptation measures.

Over the last decades, the EU has also taken steps to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. The EU overachieved its 2020 reduction target of 20%, reducing its emissions by about a third since 1990. These efforts will need to increase substantially to achieve the EU’s target of at least 55% net emission reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.

Climate mitigation targets for 2030 also include:

• Setting an ambitious, cost-effective and socially fair path to achieving climate neutrality by 2050;
• Stimulating green job creation and continuing the EU’s track record of cutting greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy;
• Encouraging international partners to increase their ambition to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C and avoid the most severe consequences of climate change.

For climate change adaptation, policies, plans and measures are being taken to decrease the impacts and risks that climate change has on Europeans. The European Commission adopted the EU Adaptation Strategy that outlines a long-term vision for the EU to become climate-resilient by 2050. EU Member States also have adaptation strategies and plans specific to their country’s needs and risks.