Commission on track to meet 2030 climate-neutrality objectives
Yesterday, the College adopted the Greening the European Commission Progress Review report. This report evaluates the progress made towards fulfilling the 2030 emissions targets and the implementation of actions since the adoption of the Communication on Greening the Commission in 2022, which reflects the Commission determination to be a front runner in the transition towards a climate-neutral society. As part of the Communication, the Commission set out an action plan for achieving climate neutrality, first through reducing the Commission’s carbon emissions by 60% between 2005 and 2030 (a decrease of 38% between 2019 and 2030) and compensating any remaining emissions with high quality certified carbon removals. The Progress Review report also considers complementary actions on the road to achieving climate neutrality by 2030.
The report shows that the Commission is well on track towards its 2030 target, managing to reduce its overall carbon footprint by 31% by 2024, compared to 2019 levels. In particular, the Commission made good progress related to emissions from buildings, with a reduction of 26% across all sites against 30% target by 2030. Regarding staff commuting, there has been a reduction of 49% at all sites, against the 45% target by 2030. On external experts travel, there has been a 59% reduction against the 50% target by 2030. In the case on emissions from staff professional travel, the Commission will continue its efforts to achieve the 50% target by 2030 at the latest.
Based on the 2024 results, the Commission appears on track to achieve its overall objectives. Still the emissions reduction target for the Commission remains ambitious and further efforts are needed to reach a CO2e reduction.
