EU environment action programme to 2030

KEY POINTS

The long-term priority objective is that, by 2050 at the latest, Europeans should live well, within planetary boundaries, in a healthy economy where nothing is wasted, growth is regenerative, climate neutrality is a reality and inequalities are significantly reduced.

Building on the European Green Deal, the environmental action programme aims to speed up the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, recognising that human well-being and prosperity depend on a healthy ecosystem.

Six priority objectives

• Attain the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
• Enhance the ability to adapt by strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change.
• Move towards a regenerative growth model, detaching economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, while transitioning faster to a circular economy.
• Aim for zero pollution of the air, water and soil and protect the health and well-being of Europeans.
• Protect, preserve and restore biodiversity by improving the state of ecosystems and of the environment, as well as by combating desertification and soil degradation.
• Reduce environmental and climate pressures from production and consumption, in particular energy, industrial development, buildings and infrastructure, mobility and food systems.

Creating the conditions needed to achieve the priority objectives

To achieve the priority objectives, the European Commission, European Union (EU) Member States, regional and local authorities and stakeholders will:

• ensure that EU environment and climate legislation and strategies are implemented effectively, swiftly and in full, prioritising enforcement and improving guidance and recommendations;
• ensure that social inequalities resulting from climate and environment impacts and policies are minimised and that measures to protect the environment are fair and inclusive;
• incorporate a gender perspective at all stages of the policy-making process;
• strengthen environmentally positive incentives and phase out harmful subsidies, in particular for fossil fuel;
• mainstream biodiversity action, contributing to the aim of allocating 7.5% of annual spending under the 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework in 2024 to biodiversity objectives, and 10% in each of the years 2026 and 2027;
• promote the sound management of chemicals and rapidly identify alternatives to substances of concern;
• address land degradation and ensure soil is protected and used sustainably, including through legislation on soil health by 2023;
• transform the EU’s food system, so that it contributes to protecting biodiversity and animal welfare, while ensuring a just transition for affected stakeholders;
• recognise the interconnections between human health, animal health and the environment by integrating the ‘One Health’ approach into policy- making;
• use existing tools and methodologies and improve monitoring methods, evaluation tools and measurable indicators for nature-based solutions;
• mobilise resources from public and private sources, including the EU budget, via the European Investment Bank, and at the national level;
• make use of environmental taxation, market-based instruments, and green budgeting and financing tools;
• ensure that policies and action are based on the best available scientific knowledge and technologies, while strengthening the knowledge base;
• harness digital and data (including real-time data) technologies to support policymaking while ensuring transparency, authenticity and interoperability, making data and evidence easily accessible;
• mobilise broad support by civil society by working with businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, social partners, citizens, communities and other stakeholders, and by promoting debate, lifelong environmental education and community-led action;
• strengthen cooperation between EU institutions on climate and environment policy;
• apply high standards of transparency, public participation and access to justice at the EU and Member State levels, in accordance with the Aarhus Convention;
• support global uptake of the priority objectives, namely by engaging with non-EU countries in partnerships and alliances such as the G7 and G20.

Monitoring and reports

• The Commission, supported by the European Environment Agency and the European Chemicals Agency, monitors, assesses and reports annually on progress on the priority objectives, with a mid-term evaluation by 31 March 2024 and a full review by 31 March 2029, followed, if appropriate, by a proposal for the next environmental action programme by 31 December 2029.
• The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the Commission exchange views annually, based on the reports, action taken and possible future action.