EU advances towards 2030 climate targets with continued emissions cuts

On track to meet 2030 targets

The report shows that in 2024 the EU has made further progress in cutting net greenhouse gas emissions, with a 2.5% reduction compared to the previous year. This puts the EU on track to achieve its 2030 emission reduction target of a 55% decrease compared to 1990 levels, provided existing and planned policy measures are fully implemented by the EU and Member States with strong investment flows. Since 1990, the EU has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by over 37% - or 39% excluding international aviation and shipping - all while growing its economy by 71%.

Sectoral contributions to emission reductions

The reduction in emissions was driven by efforts across various sectors. The energy sector remains the main driver, with renewables becoming the leading source of electricity production. The agriculture sector and the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector also contributed to emission reductions, while emissions from the transport sector, both domestic and international aviation and maritime, continued to grow.

The Emissions Trading System and Effort Sharing Regulation

The EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) are key instruments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. The ETS has helped to drive down emissions from the electricity and heat generation and industrial manufacturing sectors by 50% compared to 2005 levels. Similarly, the ESR has led to a reduction of around 20% in emissions from sectors such as transport, buildings and agriculture compared to 2005 levels.

Investing in a low-carbon future

Meeting the EU's climate and energy targets will require a major scale-up in finance, with annual energy-system investment needing to more than double to around EUR 565 billion in 2021-2030 compared with 2011-2020. The EU is mainstreaming climate action across funding programmes, with about EUR 662 billion earmarked for climate objectives in the current long-term budget 2021-2027. This investment will support the transition to a low-carbon and resilient economy, boosting competitiveness, strengthening energy independence and economic security, driving sustainable growth, creating high-quality jobs and improving our quality of life across the EU.

Stepping up climate resilience and adaptation

The EU and its Member States are also stepping up their efforts on climate resilience and adaptation, with a focus on supporting regions and communities most affected by climate change. Climate hazards are undermining Europe's competitiveness, security and prosperity, and climate resilience should urgently become an integral part of all European policies. To address this, the EU is working to create an integrated framework for climate resilience, which amongst others will ensure that all investments vulnerable to the impacts of climate change take account of the climate risks that could materialize in their lifetime.

International climate action

The European Union and its Member States continue to play a leading role in international climate action, working with partners to encourage ambitious action and providing EUR 31.7 billion in international climate finance in 2024. Ahead of COP30, the EU submitted its new nationally determined contribution to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 66.25% - 72.5% from 1990 levels. With targets anchored in the European Climate Law, the EU is turning ambition into action through a comprehensive policy package led by carbon pricing. Carbon markets remain at the core of EU climate policy and diplomacy, and the EU is supporting partners globally in developing strong carbon-pricing systems to deliver real emissions cuts.

Today's climate action progress report confirms once again that we are on track to meet our 2030 climate target. Emissions in the EU continue to decline, with 2024 showing a decrease of 2.5% compared to 2023. Yesterday, Member States agreed on a direction of travel for 2040. It is yet another encouragement to stay the course towards climate neutrality. The EU is proving that we can pursue ambitious climate action while strengthening our competitiveness and our independence at the same time.

Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

More Information

EU Climate Action Progress Report 2025

State of the Energy Union Report