Environment

What the EU does

The European Union’s environment policies aim to protect, preserve and improve the environment for present and future generations, and promote sustainable development.

A green transition will enable EU citizens to live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our mission is to build an innovative circular economy, grounded in sound ecosystems. Vital biodiversity must be protected and restored, and pollution and health risks eliminated.

This approach is also applied at the international level, helping position the EU as a champion of the green transition on the global stage.

The EU’s main environmental objectives are

achieving the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and climate neutrality by 2050
enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilienceand reducing vulnerability to climate change
advancing towards a regenerative growth model, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy
pursuing a zero-pollution ambition, including for air, water and soil and protecting the health and well-being of Europeans
protecting, preserving and restoring biodiversity, and enhancing natural capital
reducing environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption

Facts about the environment

1/2

of all birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish species lost in the last 50 years

Over 200,000

Deaths per year caused by air pollution in Europe

Every €1

Invested in nature restoration produces at least €4 in benefits

Areas of action

Key achievements

The Natura 2000 network of 27 000 protected sites now covers almost 1/5 of land in the EU, protects hundreds of species and habitats and provides vital services and income for millions of Europeans
Thanks to an increase in resource productivity of about 35% since 2000, EU greenhouse gas emissions from production fell by around 25 from 2008-2021, showing that the transition to a circular economy plays an important role in the path to climate neutrality
Total EU waste generation by all economic activities and households fell by almost 3% over the last decade to reach 4.8 tonnes per capita in 2020
The EU Ecolabel now appears on nearly 100,000 products, guaranteeing a reduced impact on the environment and preventing greenwashing
A 45% reduction in health impacts from air pollution has been achieved since 2005, thanks to regulatory improvements and emissions reductions that have led to significant decreases in premature deaths
Plastic sea litter has been reduced by around 1/3 since 2015
The EU is a global leader in striving to achieve climate and environmental objectives through international commitments: the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Global Plastics Treaty
Several important new laws with long-term impact include the Nature Restoration Law, the Deforestation Regulation, and the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation

In focus

Making sustainable products the norm in the EU

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which took effect in 2024, is a key part of the EU’s strategy for promoting environmentally friendly and circular products.

The way products are designed and used has a major impact on the environment, and consumption can be a significant driver of climate change and pollution.

These new rules aim to significantly improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market by improving their circularity, energy performance, recyclability and durability.