Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the European Union

This report assesses the European Union's progress toward its 2020 and 2050 greenhouse gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency targets, utilizing projections from the "Energy Roadmap 2050".

• Based on current policies, the European Union is expected to exceed its 2020 targets for renewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, although it will need further measures to achieve its 2020 energy-efficiency target and its long-term 2050 GHG-reduction goal.
• The EU's '20-20-20 package' consists of three targets for 2020: a 20 percent reduction in GHG emissions relative to 1990 levels (increasing to 30 percent if other developed countries make comparable commitments), a 20 percent share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption, and a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency.
• The EU has established a long-term goal to reduce GHG emissions by 80 to 95 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2050.
• Key mandatory or incentive-based policies driving GHG reductions include the Renewable Energy Directive, the Biofuels Directive, and the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Potential gaps in target achievement may be addressed through the Energy Efficiency Directive, EU ETS reforms, and a proposed Energy Taxation Directive designed to restructure taxes on energy products.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the European Union. https://www.wri.org/research/greenhouse-gas-mitigation-european-union

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the European Union. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/greenhouse-gas-mitigation-european-union.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the European Union |url=https://www.wri.org/research/greenhouse-gas-mitigation-european-union |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendgreenhouse, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the European Union}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/greenhouse-gas-mitigation-european-union}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }