20 October 2015: The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published the ‘Trends and Projections in Europe 2015’ report, which shows that the European Union (EU) is on track to meet and even exceed its target of reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

The report highlights that the EU is expected to meet its “20-20-20” climate and energy targets: 20% reduction in GHG emissions compared to 1990; 20% share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption; and 20% reduction in primary energy consumption compared to baseline projections. It outlines, for instance, that GHG emissions in Europe have decreased by 23% between 1990 and 2014; and latest projects show that this is heading to a 24% reduction and is expected to reach 25% given the additional measures already being planned in member States.

The report also analyzes these figures by the 28 EU member States and shows that although the EU as a whole is on track to meet its target, individual countries have varying levels of achievement, with: 24 countries on track to meet their GHG targets; 20 on track to achieve their renewable energy targets; 20 on track to achieve their energy efficiency targets; and 13 on track to deliver on their national targets in all three areas. It also highlights the positive impact of key “drivers,” in particular, the steady roll-out of renewable energy and decreases in the energy consumption of most EU member States over the last decade.

In addition, the report assesses the EU’s likelihood to meet its 2030 target of 40% emission reductions below 1990 levels. It shows that planned reduction efforts will bring EU emissions between 27% and 30% below 1990 levels by 2030, therefore failing to meet the 40% target. It explains, however, that this assessment does not include some agreed and planned policy reforms and also notes ongoing discussions regarding the possible inclusion of land use and forestry in the GHG mitigation framework that may affect the final emission reductions achieved. [EEA Press Report] [Europa Press Report] [Publication: Trends and Projections in Europe 2015: Tracking progress towards Europe’s climate and energy targets]