EU remains en route to 55% reduction target of pollutant emissions

A European Union (EU) remains in the course of meeting the 2030 climate targets and annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) fell by 1.6% in 2025, according to a report released today in Brussels.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA)’s Trends and Projections report, despite the slowdown in net GHG emissions by 2025, EU and national mitigation plans remain on the road to achieving the net reduction target of 55% by 2030.

Emissions covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) decreased by around 2% by 2025, while emissions in the sectors covered by the Emissions Sharing Regulation remained broadly stable and provisional data show an improvement in EU land carbon capture.

Emissions were by 2025 at 39% below 1990, while the EU economy grew by 74% over the same period, according to Brussels data.

However, it warns the EEA, in order to achieve the target, the reductions in emissions in the sectors covered by the Effort Sharing Regulation over the next five years will have to correspond as a whole to those achieved in the previous two decades.

The agency highlights the transport sector, where progress needs to be improved in end-use sectors such as transport, buildings and agriculture.

This year's carbon market report also concludes that CELE revenue increased by EUR 43.2 billion by 2025, an increase of 11% over 2024.