The European Commission says EU member states have “significantly closed the gap” on achieving the collective 2030 emissions goal, but are still set to miss the mark by 1%.
This is according to its assessment of countries’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), which says the EU should hit a 54% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
This is still 1% shy of the legally binding target of a collective 55% reduction in GHG emissions
It also says it will reach a share of at least 42.5% of renewable energy by 2030 in a bid to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The EU’s emissions targets. Credit: CPRAM
A European Commission statement said: “Member states are demonstrating political resolve to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, improve the resilience and security of energy supplies and infrastructure, accelerate the integration of the internal energy market and support those who need it the most with investments and skills development.
“The Commission’s assessment provides a solid foundation for discussions on the next steps in the EU’s decarbonisation journey towards 2040 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
“The Commission will intensify work with Member States to close the remaining gaps and implement additional guidance, set out in today’s assessment.”
It added that Belgium, Estonia and Poland have still not yet submitted their final NECPs, urging them to do so as soon as possible.