The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report providing an overview of the 130-plus environmental targets and objectives set by the EU to be met between 2010 and 2050. The report, ‘Towards a green economy in Europe’ finds that although there has been success in agreeing such policies, there is some way to go in terms of their implementation.  The overview presents a mixed performance, with more success within Europe in improving resource efficiency than in preserving ecosystem resilience.

On some specific targets, analysis of progress towards the non-binding objective to cut energy use levels to 20 per cent below business as usual by 2020 suggests that stronger action must be taken to meet the targets by 2020. In contrast, the EU seems to have made good progress towards emissions targets set by the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution, while waste generation is also in decline. Hans Bruynicks, EEA Executive Director, said of the findings “We are making some progress towards the EU aim of creating a green economy, but we need to keep the pressure on up to 2020 and beyond.”

Further information and report can be found at:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/towards-a-green-economy-in-europe