EU emissions fall, but nine countries miss 2030 progress

The EU aims to reduce emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. The Climate Action Progress Report and Carbon Market Report, published on Monday, show emissions continuing to decline and clean technologies expanding, but say greater efforts are needed. The pace of cuts must accelerate in the second half of this decade.

Emissions covered by the EU’s carbon market, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), fell by 2% last year. The system covers sectors including electricity generation, refineries, metals, aviation and maritime transport. Companies in those sectors pay for each tonne of carbon they emit, reflecting the “polluter pays” principle. Emissions outside the market are falling more slowly.

The nine countries the Commission says are not making sufficient progress towards their 2030 targets are Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta and Sweden. The reasons vary: Italy’s energy mix remains heavily reliant on gas, while Sweden faces rising energy demand, looser climate policies and a decline in carbon sinks. Land-use challenges and a slow shift to renewable energy are also holding back some countries. The Commission will ask all nine to provide plans setting out corrective measures and investments.

The EU also plans to extend carbon pricing to road transport, heating and small industry, which are currently exempt. The expansion was due to begin next year, but member states have delayed it by a year. Globally, greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.4% last year, according to a study released Monday by the Global Carbon Project. Its authors said the drop was far from enough to counter climate change and that a peak in emissions was still not in sight.