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The EU Member States have lowered their energy consumption in recent years, despite a slight increase in 2015. At the same time, they use more and more renewable energy. Overall, the 28 Member States are collectively well on their way to meeting their 2020 targets on renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. However, continuing current trends will fall short of longer term objectives, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published yesterday.

Image © Leyla Emektar, Picture2050 /EEA

The way forward is clear: Member States must step up national ambition and efforts to achieve the 2020 and 2030 EU targets, and to keep the EU on a path to a low-carbon, competitive and circular economy by 2050.  Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director

The day after the European Commission proposed a package to boost clean energy, the EEA presented a new assessment of the progress made by EU Member States in meeting their existing 2020 targets on renewable energy and energy efficiency. This analysis is included in the report ‘Trends and Projections in Europe 2016: Tracking progress towards Europe climate and energy targets’. The EEA report is supported by country profiles on energy and climate, providing detailed data at national level.

‘Our report ‘Trends and projections in Europe 2016’ shows that the EU's 2020 targets on energy and climate are now well within reach. But certain trends are alarming, in particular for transport. In that sector, renewable energy use remains insufficient and greenhouse gas emissions are rising again,’ said Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director. ‘The way forward is clear: Member States must step up national ambition and efforts to achieve the 2020 and 2030 EU targets, and to keep the EU on a path to a low-carbon, competitive and circular economy by 2050.’

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