2030 Goals, finally some good news: Europe close to achieving them

In a global context often dominated by alarming news about climate change, a positive turning point has finally arrived: according to the European Commission's recent assessment, the Union is now much closer to achieving its 2030 climate and energy targets.

The analysis published on May 28, 2025, examines the updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) submitted by Member States, highlighting that the EU is approaching a net 54% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels – just one percentage point below the binding 55% target set by the European Climate Law.

• Concrete progress and momentum for the transition
• Why this is good news (even for those involved in sustainable gardening)

Concrete progress and momentum for the transition

The credit goes to the significant improvements made by European Union countries to their national plans following the Commission's recommendations in December 2023. The energy sector has been the main driver of these results, with steady growth in renewable energy, which already accounted for 24% of the EU's energy consumption in 2023. The target of 42.5% by 2030 now appears increasingly realistic.

However, the picture is not without its challenges. Civil society organisations, including Climate Action Network Europe, warn that the current plans, although improved, still have shortcomings in terms of concrete implementation, funding, and public participation. Particular concern is raised over lagging sectors such as agriculture and transport, as well as the limited involvement of citizens in decision-making processes, which is seen as a missed opportunity to strengthen the legitimacy and ambition of the plans.

Why this is good news (even for those involved in sustainable gardening)

Despite the challenges, the Commission's assessment represents an important moment to reinforce Europe's path towards climate neutrality by 2050. The next step will be to set the 2040 interim target, which could aim for a reduction in emissions of up to 90%. 

This good news is not just for governments and institutions. For those who work in or are passionate about sustainable gardening, knowing that Europe is seriously investing in protecting ecosystems and reducing its environmental impact means being an active part of a larger, more concrete movement.

Understanding the context in which we operate – where policies for soil, biodiversity, and water are being strengthened – helps us understand the importance of our contribution, even at the local level, in small green spaces, gardens, and urban renaturalisation projects, where priority is given to green products, such as plants and low-water-use lawns, and natural, self-sufficient ecosystems are created.

The road to 2030 is still long, but no longer seems so far out of reach. Thanks to collective commitment and more targeted strategies, the European Union is demonstrating that a different future is possible. And perhaps this time we can truly say: we are heading in the right direction.