Climate change in Europe#Climate targets

File:CO2_emissions_EU.svg

File:Co-emissions-per-capita (2).png

File:EU-27 share of renewable energy vs 2020 target.png and EEA countries 2020 and 2021, compared to the national targets for 2020. EU28 (including United Kingdom) pledged an average of 20 percent renewable energy for 2020, and EU27 reached 22 percent.]]

{{Pie chart

| caption= Global carbon dioxide emissions by country in 2023:

| other = yes

| label1 = China

| value1 = 31.8 | color1=#E33

| label2 = United States

| value2 = 14.4 | color2=#1A9

| label3 = European Union

| value3 = 4.9 | color3=#36A

| label4 = India

| value4 = 9.5 | color4=#CC5

| label5 = Russia

| value5 = 5.8 | color5=#E72

| label6 = Japan

| value6 = 3.5 | color6=#928

}}

A 2016 European Environment Agency (EEA) report documents greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 1990 and 2014 for the EU-28 individual member states by IPCC sector.

{{cite book|url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/annual-european-union-greenhouse-gas/at_download/file|title=Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2014 and inventory report 2016: submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat — EEA Report No 15/2016|date=17 June 2016|publisher=European Energy Agency (EEA)|place=Copenhagen, Denmark|access-date=2016-06-21}}

{{cite web|date=21 June 2016|title=EU greenhouse gas emissions at lowest level since 1990|url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-at|access-date=2016-06-21}} Total greenhouse gas emissions fell by 24% between 1990 and 2014, but road transport emissions rose by 17%. Cars, vans, and trucks had the largest absolute increase in CO₂ emissions of any sector over the last 25 years, growing by 124{{nbsp}}Mt. Aviation also grew by 93{{nbsp}}Mt over the same period, a massive 82% increase.{{Cite web |last=Overton |first=Jeff |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Issue Brief {{!}} The Growth in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Aviation |url=https://www.eesi.org/}}

In 2019 European Union emissions reached 3.3 Gt (3.3 billion metric tons), 80% of which was from fossil fuels.{{cite web|date=2021-06-29|title=Why Europe cannot afford to shun nuclear power|url=https://www.sustainability-times.com/in-depth/why-europe-cannot-afford-to-shun-nuclear-power/|access-date=2021-09-02|website=Sustainability Times|language=en-GB}}

In 2021, the European Parliament approved a landmark law setting GHG targets for 2050. The law aims to achieve carbon neutrality and, after 2050, negative emissions{{cite web|date=2021-06-21|title=Council adopts European climate law|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/06/28/council-adopts-european-climate-law/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=European Council|language=en}} and paves the way for a policy overhaul in the European Union.{{cite web|last=Abnett|first=Kate|date=2021-06-24|title=Climate 'law of laws' gets European Parliament's green light|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/climate-law-of-laws-gets-european-parliaments-green-light/ar-AALo52O|access-date=2021-07-06|website=MSN}} Under the law, the European Union must act to lower net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990). The law sets a limit of 225 Mt of CO₂ equivalent to the contribution of removals to the target. According to Swedish lawmaker Jytte Guteland, the law would allow Europe to become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050.{{cite web|date=2021-06-25|title="Half-Measures and Broken Promises": European Parliament Commits to Climate Neutrality by 2050|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2021/6/25/headlines/half_measures_and_broken_promises_european_parliament_commits_to_climate_neutrality_by_2050|access-date=2021-07-06|website=Democracy Now!|language=en}}

In 2023, EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.3% — the largest drop since 2020's pandemic-driven 9.8% decline. Emissions are now 37% below 1990 levels, while GDP has grown by 68%, indicating the decoupling of emissions from economic growth. According to the European Commission, the EU remains on track to meet its 2030 goal of cutting emissions by 55%.{{Cite web |title=EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by over 8% in 2023, driven by impressive growth in renewable energy |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5605 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=European Commission - European Commission}}

{{See also|Coal in Europe}}

The coal consumption in Europe was {{convert|7,239|TWh|PJ|lk=on|abbr=~|order=flip}} in 1985 and has fallen to {{cvt|2,611|TWh|order=flip}} in 2020. The coal consumption in the EU was {{cvt|5,126|TWh|order=flip}} in 1985 and has fallen to {{cvt|1,624|TWh|order=flip}} in 2020.{{cite web|title=Coal consumption|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/coal-consumption-by-country-terawatt-hours-twh|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Our World in Data}} The height of CO₂ emissions from coal in Europe were in 1987 with 3.31 billion tonnes, and in 2019 with 1.36 billion tonnes.{{cite web|title=Annual CO₂ emissions from coal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-coal|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Our World in Data}}

Russia had the most CO₂ emissions from coal in Europe in 2019 (395.03 Mt), Germany had the second most CO₂ emissions from coal in Europe (235.7 Mt).{{cite web|title=Annual CO₂ emissions from coal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-coal|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Our World in Data}} Iceland's CO₂ emissions from coal grew 151%, Turkey's CO₂ emissions from coal grew 131% between and Montenegro CO₂ emissions from coal grew 13% between 1990 and 2019, the rest of the European countries had a decrease in coal consumption in that period of time.{{cite web|title=Annual CO₂ emissions from coal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-coal|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Our World in Data}}

From 2012 to 2018 in the EU coal fell by around {{cvt|50|TWh|order=flip}}, compared to a rise of {{cvt|30|TWh|order=flip}} in wind power and solar energy generation and a rise of {{cvt|30|TWh|order=flip}} in gas generation. The remaining {{cvt|10|TWh|order=flip}} covered a small structural increase in electricity consumption. In 2019 coal generation will be about 12% of the EU's 2019 greenhouse gas emissions.[https://sandbag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-EU-Coal-Report-FIN_1.2.pdf Europe's Great Coal Collapse of 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920155108/https://sandbag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-EU-Coal-Report-FIN_1.2.pdf |date=2019-09-20 }} Sandbag UK 18.9.2019[https://www.vasabladet.fi/Artikel/Visa/317592 EU på väg att lämna kolkraften – Allt mer vindkraft och solenergi i stället] Vasabladet 18.9.2019

{{expand section|reason=https://globalenergymonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GEM-Europe-Gas-Tracker-Report-2021.pdf|date=April 2021}}

The EU classifies fossil gas as a "green" energy for investment purposes under the taxonomy, although it is a fossil fuel.{{Cite news |last=Abnett |first=Kate |date=2022-07-06 |title=EU parliament backs labelling gas and nuclear investments as green |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/eu-parliament-vote-green-gas-nuclear-rules-2022-07-06/ |access-date=2023-05-25}} According to Global Energy Monitor plans to expand infrastructure contradict EU climate goals.{{Cite journal|last1=Inman|first1=Mason|last2=Aitken|first2=Greig|last3=Zimmerman|first3=Scott|date=2021-04-07|title=Europe Gas Tracker Report 2021|url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/report/europe-gas-tracker-report-2021/|language=en-US|website=Global Energy Monitor}}

The EU used {{cvt|3,966|TWh|order=flip}} in 2021 and Europe as a whole used {{cvt|10,074|TWh|order=flip}} in 2021.{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |author2-link=Max Roser |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=2022-10-27 |title=Energy |url=https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix |journal=Our World in Data}}

The decline in methane emissions from 1990 to 1995 in the OECD is largely due to non-climate regulatory programs and the collection and flaring or use of landfill methane. In many OECD countries, landfill methane emissions are not expected to grow, despite continued or even increased waste generation, because of non-climate change-related regulations that result in mitigation of air emissions, collection of gas, or closure of facilities. A major driver in the OECD is the European Union Landfill Directive, which limits the amount of organic matter that can enter solid waste facilities. Although the organic matter is expected to decrease rapidly in the EU, emissions occur as a result of total waste in place. Emissions will have a gradual decline over time.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Greenhouse gases are also released through agriculture. Livestock production is common in Europe, responsible for 42% of land in Europe. This land use for livestock does affect the environment. Agriculture accounts for 10% of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions, this percentage being even larger in other parts of the world.{{Cite journal|last=Leip|first=Adrian|date=2015-11-04|title=Impacts of European livestock production: nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and greenhouse gas emissions, land-use, water eutrophication and biodiversity|journal=Environmental Research Letters|volume=10|issue=11|page=115004|bibcode=2015ERL....10k5004L|doi=10.1088/1748-9326/10/11/115004|doi-access=free}} Along with this percentage, agriculture is also responsible for being the largest contributor of non carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions being emitted annually in Europe.{{cite web|title=Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in Europe — European Environment Agency|url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/cc-adaptation-agriculture|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.eea.europa.eu|language=en}} Agriculture has been found to release other gases besides carbon dioxides such as methane and nitrous oxide. A study claimed that 38% of greenhouse gases released through agriculture in Europe were methane. These farms release methane through chemicals in fertilizers used, manure, and a process called enteric fermentation. These gases are estimated to possibly cause even more damage than carbon dioxide, a study by Environmental Research Letters claims that "CH₄ has 20 times more heat-trapping potential than CO₂ and N₂O has 300 times more."{{cite web|title=Agriculture and Climate Change in the EU: An Overview {{!}} Climate Policy Info Hub|url=https://climatepolicyinfohub.eu/agriculture-and-climate-change-eu-overview|access-date=2020-12-08|website=climatepolicyinfohub.eu}} These emissions released through agriculture are also linked to soil acidification and loss of biodiversity in Europe as well.

Europe is attempting to take action. The Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) was created, focusing on lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emissions through land use in Europe. Some success was seen, between 1990 and 2016, greenhouse gases emitted through agriculture in Europe decreased by 20%. However, the European Union has a plan to become carbon neutral by 2050. If more policies are not implemented or if there is no dietary shift, it has been concluded the European Union may not reach this goal.

According to the European Green Deal, it is critical to minimize reliance on pesticides and antimicrobials, eliminate excess fertilization (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), promote organic farming, improve animal welfare, and reverse biodiversity loss. The introduction and successful implementation of sustainable agriculture can assist developing nations improve their food security, as well as strengthening soil and plan carbon sinks globally.{{Cite book|last=Bank|first=European Investment|url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/the-eib-group-climate-bank-roadmap|title=The EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021-2025|date=2020-12-14|publisher=European Investment Bank|isbn=978-92-861-4908-5|language=EN}}{{cite web|title=COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/communication-annex-farm-fork-green-deal_en.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525032850/https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/communication-annex-farm-fork-green-deal_en.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-25 }}

Road transport emits about a fifth of EU greenhouse gas.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-21 |title=CO2 emissions |url=https://www.transportenvironment.org/challenges/cars/co2-emissions/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Transport & Environment |language=en}}

Aviation is taxed less than train travel.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=The struggle to cut emissions from international aviation and shipping |url=https://www.bruegel.org/analysis/struggle-cut-emissions-international-aviation-and-shipping |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Bruegel {{!}} The Brussels-based economic think tank |language=en}}

Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping equal the carbon footprint of a quarter of passenger cars in Europe.[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/09/european-shipping-emissions-in-way-of-nations-meeting-paris-climate-targets European shipping emissions undermining international climate targets, Report says greenhouse gas emissions equal carbon footprint of a quarter of passenger cars] The Guardian 9 Dec 2019 Shipping is not covered by the Paris Agreement but is subject to the EU ETS,{{Cite web |title=Reducing emissions from the shipping sector - European Commission |url=https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/transport/reducing-emissions-shipping-sector_en |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=climate.ec.europa.eu |language=en}} and will be subject to the UK ETS from 2026.{{Cite web |title=UK ETS to be expanded to cover maritime emissions: your questions answered |url=https://www.ashurst.com/en/insights/uk-ets-to-be-expanded-to-cover-maritime-emissions-your-questions-answered/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Ashurst |language=en}}

File:Glantz 2022 Europe aerosols.jpg density over Europe (colloquially known as global dimming) had lowered the difference between thermal energy entering from the atmosphere and radiating off the ground (top left, blue), and increased the net amount of heating (other graphics, red).{{cite journal |last1=Glantz |first1=P. |last2=Fawole |first2=O. G. |last3=Ström |first3=J. |last4=Wild |first4=M. |last5=Noone |first5=K. J. |date=27 November 2022 | title=Unmasking the Effects of Aerosols on Greenhouse Warming Over Europe |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2021JD035889 |journal = Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres|volume =127 |issue=22 |pages=e2021JD035889 | doi=10.1029/2021JD035889 |bibcode=2022JGRD..12735889G |s2cid=253357109 |hdl=20.500.11850/584879 |hdl-access=free }}.]]

Trifluoromethane (HFC-23) is generated and emitted as a byproduct during the production of chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22). HCFC-22 is used both in emissive applications (primarily air conditioning and refrigeration) and as a feedstock for production of synthetic polymers. Because HCFC-22 depletes stratospheric ozone, its production for non-feedstock uses is scheduled to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol. However, feedstock production is permitted to continue indefinitely.

In the developed world, HFC-23 emissions decreased between 1990 and 2000 due to process optimization and thermal destruction, although there were increased emissions in the intervening years.

The United States (U.S.) and the European Union drove these trends in the developed world. Although emissions increased in the EU between 1990 and 1995 due to increased production of HCFC-22, a combination of process optimization and thermal oxidation led to a sharp decline in EU emissions after 1995, resulting in a net decrease in emissions of 67 percent for this region between 1990 and 2000.

{{Update section|date=March 2021}}

File:Map of increasing heatwave trends over the midlatitudes and Europe.webp trends (frequency and cumulative intensity) over the midlatitudes and Europe, July–August 1979–2020.
In western Europe, heatwaves have been increasing "three-to-four times faster compared to the rest of the northern midlatitudes over the past 42 years".{{cite journal |last1=Rousi |first1=Efi |last2=Kornhuber |first2=Kai |last3=Beobide-Arsuaga |first3=Goratz |last4=Luo |first4=Fei |last5=Coumou |first5=Dim |title=Accelerated western European heatwave trends linked to more-persistent double jets over Eurasia |journal=Nature Communications |date=4 July 2022 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=3851 |doi=10.1038/s41467-022-31432-y |pmid=35788585 |pmc=9253148 |bibcode=2022NatCo..13.3851R |language=en |issn=2041-1723 |doi-access=free}}

• News report: {{cite news |last1=Fountain |first1=Henry |title=Why Europe Is Becoming a Heat Wave Hot Spot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/19/climate/europe-heat-wave-science.html |access-date=21 August 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=18 July 2022}}]]

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| total_width = 300

| image1 = Koppen-Geiger Map Europe present.svg

| caption1 = Köppen climate classification map for Europe for 1980–2016

| image2 = Koppen-Geiger Map Europe future.svg

| caption2 = 2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free }}{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=Cosmos |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn’t make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}

}}

The World Meteorological Organization's State of the Climate 2021 stated that temperatures in Europe increased at more than twice the global average over the preceding 30 years–the highest increase of any continent in the world.{{cite web |title=State of the Climate in Europe |url=https://public-old.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/climate/wmo-statement-state-of-global-climate/Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218175919/https://public-old.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/climate/wmo-statement-state-of-global-climate/Europe |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |website=WMO.int |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |date=2 November 2022 }} The European Environment Agency stated that from pre-industrial times, European land temperatures have increased by 1.94–1.99 °C, faster than the global average increase of 1.11–1.14 °C.{{cite web |title=Global and European temperatures |url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/ims/global-and-european-temperatures |website=EEE.europa.eu |publisher=European Environment Agency |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020172454/https://www.eea.europa.eu/ims/global-and-european-temperatures |archive-date=20 October 2022 |date=22 June 2022 |url-status=live}} Range of temperature increase differs depending on particular dataset used.

The Arctic sea ice decreased 33.000 km² between 1979 and 2020 per year during the winter and 79.000 km² per year during the summer in the same period of time. If temperatures are kept below 1.5 °C warming ice free Arctic summers would be rare but it would be a frequent event with a 2 °C warming.{{cite web|title=Arctic and Baltic sea ice — European Environment Agency|url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/arctic-sea-ice-4/assessment|access-date=2021-09-12|website=www.eea.europa.eu|language=en}}

In the Baltic Sea ice melting has been seen since 1800 and with an acceleration happening since the 1980s. Sea ice was at a record low in the winter of 2019–2020.

These extreme weather changes may increase the severity of diseases in animals as well as humans. The heat waves will increase the number of forest fires. Experts have warned that climate change may increase the number of global climate refugees from 150 million in 2008 to 800 million in the future. The International agreement of refugees does not recognize climate change refugees. From 2012 to 2022, according to the European Environment Agency, extreme weather events cost Europe more than €145 billion in economic damages. Climate-related economic losses grew by about 2% each year throughout the same time.{{Cite web |title=Economic losses and fatalities from weather- and climate-related events in Europe — European Environment Agency |url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/economic-losses-and-fatalities-from |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.eea.europa.eu |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Climate change has cost the EU €145 billion in a decade |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/climate-europe-gdp-emissions/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=World Economic Forum |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20230114-what-drives-firms-investment-in-climate-change |title=What drives firms' investment in climate change? Evidence from the 2022-2023 EIB Investment Survey |date=2023-04-12 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5537-6 |language=EN}}

A study of future changes in flood, heat-waves, and drought effects for 571 European cities, using climate model runs from the coupled model intercomparison project Phase 5 (CMIP5) found that heat-wave days increase across all cities, but especially in southern Europe, whilst the greatest heatwave temperature increases are expected in central European cities. For the small effect scenario, drought conditions intensify in southern European cities while river flooding worsens in northern European cities. However, the large effect scenario projects that most European cities will see increases in both drought and river flood risks. Over 100 cities are particularly vulnerable to two or more climate effects.{{Cite journal|last1=Guerreiro|first1=Selma B.|last2=Dawson|first2=Richard J.|last3=Kilsby|first3=Chris|last4=Lewis|first4=Elizabeth|last5=Ford|first5=Alistair|date=2018|title=Future heat-waves, droughts and floods in 571 European cities|url=https://eprint.ncl.ac.uk/fulltext.aspx?url=246999/657927C2-DD15-421B-A0FD-F7FF38D6FD4E.pdf&pub_id=246999|journal=Environmental Research Letters|language=en|volume=13|issue=3|page=034009|bibcode=2018ERL....13c4009G|doi=10.1088/1748-9326/aaaad3|issn=1748-9326|doi-access=free}}

{{update|section|date=September 2022}}

File:Brás_2021_EWDs_Europe.jpg, from 1964 to 2015.{{cite journal | vauthors = Brás TA, Seixas J, Carvalhais N, Jägermeyr J |date=18 March 2021 |title=Severity of drought and heatwave crop losses tripled over the last five decades in Europe |journal=Environmental Research Letters |language=en |volume=16 |issue=6 |page=065012 |bibcode=2021ERL....16f5012B |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/abf004 |issn=1748-9326 |doi-access=free|hdl=10362/144590 |hdl-access=free }} 50x50px Available under CC BY 4.0. ]]

File:Denmark scorched ESA397389.jpg on agricultural fields in Slagelse, Denmark.]]

The summer of 2019 brought a series of high temperature records in Western Europe. During a heat wave a glaciological rarity in the form of a previously unseen lake emerged in the Mont Blanc Massif in the French Alps, at the foot of the Dent du Géant at an altitude of about 3400 meters, that was considered as evidence for the effects of global warming on the glaciers.[https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/environnement/2019/07/climat-un-lac-sest-forme-sur-le-mont-blanc-3-000-metres-daltitude Climat : un lac s'est formé sur le Mont Blanc à 3 000 mètres d’altitude - Un lac a été découvert sur le Mont Blanc, à un peu plus de 3 000 mètres d'altitude, entre la Dent du Géant et le Col de Rochefort][https://www.iflscience.com/environment/a-lake-popped-up-unexpectedly-in-the-alps-thanks-to-last-months-heatwave/ A Hiker Found This Beautiful Lake In The Alps. There's Just One Small Problem][https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/haute-savoie/chamonix/formation-lac-massif-du-mont-blanc-est-elle-liee-au-rechauffement-climatique-1698868.html La formation d'un lac dans le massif du Mont-Blanc est-elle liée au réchauffement climatique?]

The summer of 2023 was the warmest on record globally, the average European temperature that summer was 0.0.83 °C above average.{{Cite web |title=Summer 2023: the hottest on record {{!}} Copernicus |url=https://climate.copernicus.eu/summer-2023-hottest-record |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=climate.copernicus.eu}}

In the aftermath of the 2003 heat wave, researchers noted how the alpine ecosystems of Italy were affected. Namely, the heat wave "triggered a rapid expansion of vascular plant species at the expense of mosses in peatlands".{{cite journal |last1=Chelli |first1=Stefano |last2=Wellstein |first2=Camilla |last3=Campetella |first3=Giandiego |last4=Canullo |first4=Roberto |last5=Tonin |first5=Rita |last6=Zerbe |first6=Stefan |last7=Gerdol |first7=Renato |title=Climate change response of vegetation across climatic zones in Italy |journal=Climate Research |date=2017 |volume=71 |issue=3 |pages=253–54 |doi=10.3354/cr01443 |jstor=24897503 |bibcode=2017ClRes..71..249C |hdl=11581/395228 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24897503|hdl-access=free }} Peatlands are known to be supreme carbon-storing environments,{{cite web |title=Peatlands store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/peatlands-store-twice-much-carbon-all-worlds-forests |website=United Nations Environment Programme |date=February 2019 |access-date=12 May 2022}} and thus alterations caused by anthropogenic climate change poses a threat to long-term climate stability.

Climate change severely endangers the population in Europe, according to the EAA risk assessment, while "climate threats “ are growing faster than our societal preparedness,“. Those effects are felt in southern and central Europe. It includes heat waves, flooding, transmission of diseases by mosquitos and more.{{cite news |title=Europe not ready for dangers of climate change, EU agency warns |url=https://thesun.my/world/europe-not-ready-for-dangers-of-climate-change-eu-agency-warns-KB12201748 |access-date=14 March 2024 |agency=The Sun |date=11 March 2024}}

{{See also|2018 European heat wave|2022 European heat waves}}

File:Affiche canicule Paris plstaugustin 27082003.JPG giving details of a toll-free phone number to call in the event of death during the 2003 European heat wave.]]

Due to climate change temperatures rose in Europe and heat mortality increased. From 2003–12 to 2013–22 alone, it increased by 17 deaths per 100,000 people, while women are more vulnerable than men.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Carissa |title=How climate change is hitting Europe: three graphics reveal health impacts |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02006-3 |website=Nature |publisher=Lancet Public Health |access-date=27 June 2024}}

In the absence of climate change, extreme heat waves in Europe would be expected to occur only once every several hundred years. In addition to hydrological changes, grain crops mature earlier at a higher temperature, which may reduce the critical growth period and lead to lower grain yields. The Russian heat wave in 2010 caused grain harvest down by 25%, government ban wheat exports, and losses were 1% of GDP. The Russian heat wave 2010 estimate for deaths is 55,000.

The summer of 2003 was probably the hottest in Europe since at least AD 1500, and unusually large numbers of heat-related deaths were reported in France, Germany and Italy. It is very likely that the heat wave was human-induced by greenhouse gases.{{Cite journal |last1=Stott |first1=Peter A. |last2=Stone |first2=D. A. |last3=Allen |first3=M. R. |year=2004 |title=Human contribution to the European heatwave of 2003 |journal=Nature |volume=432 |issue=7017 |pages=610–614 |bibcode=2004Natur.432..610S |doi=10.1038/nature03089 |pmid=15577907 |s2cid=13882658}}

These extreme weather changes may increase the severity of diseases in animals as well as humans. The heat waves will increase the number of forest fires. Experts have warned that climate change may increase the number of global climate refugees from 150 million in 2008 to 800 million in future; however, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees does not recognize climate change refugees.{{Cite news |last=McDonnell |first=Tim |date=June 20, 2018 |title=The Refugees The World Barely Pays Attention To |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/06/20/621782275/the-refugees-that-the-world-barely-pays-attention-to |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=NPR}}

File:Most_Europeans_agree_that_policies_to_fight_climate_change_will_improve_their_quality_of_life.jpg agree that policies to fight climate change will improve their quality of life]]

The heat wave in 2018 in England, which would take hundreds of lives, would have had 30 times less of a chance of happening, without climate change. By 2050, such patterns would occur every 2 years if the current rate of warming continues.{{cite web|title=2018 UK summer heatwave made thirty times more likely due to climate change|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/2018/2018-uk-summer-heatwave|access-date=16 December 2018|website=The Met Office}}{{cite news|last1=Carrington|first1=Damian|date=6 December 2018|title=Climate change made UK heatwave 30 times more likely – Met Office|agency=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/06/climate-change-made-uk-heatwave-30-times-more-likely-met-office|access-date=16 December 2018}}

The heat wave in summer of 2019 as of June 28, claimed human lives, caused closing or taking special measures in 4,000 schools in France only, and big wildfires. Many areas declared state of emergency and advised the public to avoid "risky behaviour" like leaving children in cars or jogging outside in the middle of the day". The heatwave was made at least 5 times more likely by climate change and possibly even 100 times.{{cite news|last1=McGrath|first1=Matt|date=2 July 2019|title=Climate change: Heatwave made 'at least' five times more likely by warming|agency=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48838698|access-date=3 July 2019}}

In 2022, severe heatwaves occurred in Western Europe.Wildfires emerged in different places and burned vast territories causing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. In Spain 510 people died from heat between 10 and 16 July.{{cite news |title=Heat apocalypse' warning in western France as thousands flee wildfire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/18/heat-apocalypse-warning-western-france-thousands-flee-wildfire |access-date=19 July 2022 |agency=The Guardian |date=18 July 2022}}

68% of European respondents have experienced at least one direct effect from an extreme weather event. Among these effects, 21% faced transportation disruptions, 20% encountered power outages or energy supply challenges, and another 20% dealt with health-related issues. Additionally, 19% reported the destruction of forests or natural areas near their residences.{{Cite web |title=The EIB Climate Survey |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20240347-the-eib-climate-survey-2024 |website=European Investment Bank}}

{{See also|Climate change and infectious diseases}}

In 2019 for the first time, cases of Zika fever were diagnosed in Europe not because people traveled to tropical countries like Brazil, but from local mosquitos. Evidence indicating that the warming climate change in the area is the primary cause of this fever.{{cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=Jordan|date=November 8, 2019|title='We Now Have a New Exotic Disease in Europe': Native Zika Virus Spreads Due to Climate Change|agency=Ecowatch|url=https://www.ecowatch.com/zika-europe-climate-change-2641263334.html|access-date=10 November 2019}} It is thought that climate change could lead to dengue fever epidemics in Europe by 2100 if Aedes mosquito vectors become established.{{Cite journal |last1=Liu-Helmersson |first1=Jing |last2=Quam |first2=Mikkel |last3=Wilder-Smith |first3=Annelies |last4=Stenlund |first4=Hans |last5=Ebi |first5=Kristie |last6=Massad |first6=Eduardo |last7=Rocklöv |first7=Joacim |date=2016-05-01 |title=Climate Change and Aedes Vectors: 21st Century Projections for Dengue Transmission in Europe |journal=eBioMedicine |language=en |volume=7 |pages=267–277 |doi=10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.03.046 |pmid=27322480 |pmc=4909611 |issn=2352-3964}}

{{Further|European Green Deal|European Union climate and energy package}}

In the beginning of the 21st century the European Union, began to conceive the European Green Deal as its main program of climate change mitigation.{{cite web |title=A European Green Deal |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en |website=European Commission |publisher=European Union |access-date=19 January 2020}} The European Union claims that it has already achieved its 2020 target for emission reduction and has the legislation needed to achieve the 2030 targets. Already in 2018, its GHG emissions were 23% lower than in 1990.{{cite web|title=Progress made in cutting emissions|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/progress_en|access-date=21 November 2019|website=European Commission}}

File:Europeans_and_Americans_say_they_are_more_worried_about_the_climate_than_their_governments._Chinese_respondents_feel_the_opposite_is_true.jpg's climate survey 2021–2022. ]]

In May 2024, a report has been published summarizing the main achievements of the European Union in the environmental domain from 2019.{{cite web |title=What has the EU done for the planet and its citizens? |url=https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/what-has-the-eu-done-for-the-planet-and-its-citizens |website=European Federation for Transport and Environment AISBL |access-date=19 May 2024}}

On April 22, 2016, the Paris Climate Accords were signed by all but three countries around the world. The conference to talk about this document was held in Paris, France. This put Europe in the epicenter of talks about the environment and climate change. The EU was the first major economy that decided to submit its intended contribution to the new agreement in March 2015. The EU ratified the Paris Agreement on October 5, 2015.{{cite web|last=Gould|first=Rebecca Harrington, Skye|title=The US will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations that aren't part of the Paris agreement|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/195-countries-that-signed-paris-climate-agreement-accord-deal-2017-5|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}

In these talks the countries agreed that they all had a long-term goal of keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. They agreed that global emissions need to peak as soon as possible, and recognize that this will take longer for developing countries. On the subject of transparency the countries agreed that they would meet every five years to set ambitious goals, report their progress to the public and each other, and track progress for their long-term goals throughout a transparent and accountable system.{{cite web|last=Anonymous|date=2016-11-23|title=Paris Agreement|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris_en|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Climate Action - European Commission|language=en}}

The countries recognized the importance of non-party stakeholders to be involved in this process. Cities, regions, and local authorities are encouraged to uphold and promote regional and international cooperation.

The Paris agreement is a legally international agreement, its main goal is to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.{{cite web|last=United Nations|first=United Nations Climate Change|title=The Paris Agreement|url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement|access-date=2021-05-10|website=unfccc.int}} The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC's) are the plans to fight climate change adapted for each country.{{cite web|title=NDC spotlight|url=https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions/ndc-spotlight|access-date=12 May 2021|website=UNFCCC}} Every party in the agreement has different targets based on its own historical climate records and country's circumstances and all the targets for each country are stated in their NDC.{{cite web|title=Nationally Determined Contributions|url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs#eq-5|access-date=15 May 2021|website=unfccc}}

In the case for member countries of the European Union the goals are very similar and the European Union work with a common strategy within the Paris agreement. The NDC target for countries of the European Union against climate change and greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris agreement are the following:{{cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=The update of the nationally determined contribution of Luxemburg|url=https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Luxemburg%20First/EU_NDC_Submission_December%202020.pdf|access-date=12 May 2021|website=UNFCCC}}

• 40% reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions until 2030, compared to 1990. This reduction is covered in these four sections;

1. European Union Emission Trading System
2. Outside the EU emissions trading system
3. Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF)
4. Domestic institutional legislation and mitigation measure

• 55% reduction of greenhouse gases by domestic binding target without contribution from international credits, until 2030 compared to 1990.
• Gases covered in reduction: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous oxide (N₂O), Hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), Perfluorinated compound (PFCs), Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and Nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃).
• 40% reduction of emissions from outside the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) until 2030, compared to 2005.

Each country has different ways to achieve the established goals depending on resources. In the case of the European union the following approach is established to support the NDC's climate change plan:

• Each member state must report land use and subsequently report compensatory measures for the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Targets for improved energy efficiency and an increased amount of renewable energy have been established. Until the year 2030, energy consumption will be improved by 32.5%.
• The CO₂ emission per km must be reduced by 30–37.5% depending on vehicles by 2030
• Limit sales of F-gas, prohibited products and prevent emissions in existing products with F-gases. This is expected to reduce emissions of F-gases by 66% by 2030 compared to 2014.
• Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021–2027. MFF will finance climate action, such as policies and programs. MFF shall contribute to climate neutrality by 2050 and to achieving the 2030 climate targets.
• Within the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) a cap on the maximum allowable amount of emissions established. From year 2021 this will also be applied in aviation. The EU ETS is an important tool in EU policy to reduce Greenhouse gas emission in a cost effective way. Under the 'cap and trade' principle, a maximum (cap) is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by all participating installations.

A survey conducted by the European Investment Bank in 2020 found that although 45% of EU companies have invested in climate change mitigation or adaptation measures, compared to 32% in the US, fewer companies plan future investment in the next three years. 40% of European companies want to invest in climate initiatives during the next three years. The proportion of investment in 2020 varies from 50% in Western and Northern Europe to 32% in Central and Eastern Europe. The majority of European companies, 75%, say regulatory and tax uncertainty is preventing them from investing in climate-related projects.{{cite web|title=EIB Investment Report 2020-2021|url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications-research/economics/investment-report-overview-2020.htm|access-date=2021-11-15|website=EIB.org}}{{Cite news|last=IANS|date=2021-08-10|title=45% of EU firms report investments to address climate change: Survey|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/45-of-eu-firms-report-investments-to-address-climate-change-survey-121081000149_1.html|access-date=2021-11-15}}{{cite web|title=New EIB study: How do EU and US firms perceive and invest in climate change?|url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2021-290-new-eib-study-how-do-eu-and-us-firms-perceive-and-invest-in-climate-change|access-date=2021-11-15|website=European Investment Bank|language=en}}

According to their 2020 Municipality Survey, 56% of European Union municipalities increased climate investment, while 66% believe their climate investment over the previous three years has been insufficient.{{cite web|title=Cohesion support after the pandemic|url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/eu-cohesion-policy-after-the-pandemic|access-date=2021-11-15|website=European Investment Bank|language=en}}{{cite web|title=THE STATE OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN EUROPE: EIB Municipality Survey 2020|url=https://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibis_2020_municipality_en.pdf|url-status=live|website=European Investment Bank|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802090253/https://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibis_2020_municipality_en.pdf |archive-date=2021-08-02 }}

According to a study from 2022, while renewables as a whole and specifically hydroelectricity and geothermal energy do reduce emission in European countries, there is a problem with biomass, solar power and wind power as the process of their production also emit big amounts of {{CO2}}. The study did not check other greenhouse gases like methane. The authors called to ensure that the energy sources will really reduce emissions.{{cite journal |last1=-heWang |first1=Jing |last2=Mamkhezri |first2=Jamal |last3=Khezri |first3=Mohsen |last4=Sharif Karimi |first4=Mohammad |last5=Ali Khane |first5=Yousaf |title=Insights from European nations on the spatial impacts of renewable energy sources on {{CO2}} emissions |journal=Energy Reports |year=2022 |volume=8 |pages=5620–5630 |doi=10.1016/j.egyr.2022.04.005 |s2cid=252257746 |doi-access=free }}

{{Update section|date=March 2021}}

The climate commitments of the European Union are divided into 3 main categories: targets for the year 2020, 2030 and 2050. The European Union claim that its policies are in line with the goal of the Paris Agreement.{{cite web |title=2050 long-term strategy |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en |website=European Commission |access-date=21 November 2019}}{{cite web |title=Paris Agreement |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris_en |website=European Commission |access-date=21 November 2019}} The programm of response to climate change in Europe is called European Green Deal. In April 2020, the European Parliament called to include the European Green Deal in the recovery program from the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |title=COVID-19: MEPs call for massive recovery package and Coronavirus Solidarity Fund |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200415IPR77109/covid-19-meps-call-for-massive-recovery-package-and-coronavirus-solidarity-fund |website=European Parliament |date=17 April 2020 |access-date=22 April 2020}}

Targets for the year 2020:

• Reduce GHG emissions by 20% from the level in 1990.
• Produce 20% of energy from renewable sources. Result: 22 percent renewable sources in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Renewable energy targets |url=https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-directive-targets-and-rules/renewable-energy-targets_en |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=energy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}
• Increase Energy Efficiency by 20%.{{cite web |title=2020 climate & energy package |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2020_en |website=European Commission |access-date=21 November 2019}}
• 10 percent renewable fuels in the transport sector. Result: 10 percent of fuels were renewable on average in the EU27 in 2020.

Targets for the year 2030:

• Reduce GHG emission by 55 percent from the level in 1990.{{cite web |title=State of the Union: Commission raises climate ambition and proposes 55% cut in emissions by 2030 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1599 |website=European Commission website |publisher=European Union |access-date=29 September 2020}}
• Produce 45 percent of energy from renewables.
• Increase energy efficiency by 32.5% from a historical baseline.{{cite web |title=2030 climate & energy framework |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2030_en |website=European Commission |access-date=21 November 2019}}
• 14 percent renewable fuels in the transport sector.
• {{CO2}} emissions per kilometer from passenger cars sold in the EU must decrease by an average of 37.5 percent from 2021 levels.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-18 |title=First NDC of the European Union and its Member States, updated version |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/EU_NDC_Submission_December%202020_0.pdf |publisher=European Union and its Member States}}
• 14 percent of the fuel in the transport sector must be renewable.

Target for the year 2035:

• Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles in new car sales, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Target for the year 2050:

• Become climate neutral.

File:Information_is_key_for_climate_investments.jpg

File:Half_of_Europeans_say_they_expect_there_will_be_a_quota_of_energy_allocated_to_each_citizen_in_20_years.jpg

There is in place national legislation, international agreements and EU directives. The EU directive 2001/77/EU promotes renewable energy in electricity production. The climate subprogramme will provide €864 million in co-financing for climate projects between 2014 and 2020. Its main objectives are to contribute to the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy and improve the development, implementation and enforcement of EU climate change policies and laws.{{cite web|author=Climate Action |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/budget/life_en |title=LIFE Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |date= |access-date=2022-04-17}}

In March of the year 2020 a draft of a climate law for the entire European Union was proposed. The law obliges the European Union to become carbon neutral by 2050 and adjust all its policies to the target. The law includes measures to increase the use of trains. The law includes a mechanism to check the implementation of the needed measures. It also should increase the climate ambitions of other countries. It includes a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,{{cite web |title=Committing to climate-neutrality by 2050: Commission proposes European Climate Law and consults on the European Climate Pact |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_335 |website=European Commission |publisher=European Union |access-date=6 March 2020}} that will prevent Carbon leakage.{{cite web |title=EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism) |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12228-Carbon-Border-Adjustment-Mechanism |website=European Commission |publisher=European Union |access-date=6 March 2020}} Greta Thunberg and other climate activists have criticized the draft saying it has not enough strong targets.{{cite news |last1=Pronczuk |first1=Monika |title=E.U. Proposes a Climate Law. Greta Thunberg Hears 'Empty Words.' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/04/world/europe/eu-climate-law-greta-thunberg.html |access-date=6 March 2020 |agency=The New York Times |date=4 March 2020}}

In July 2021 the European Union published several drafts describing concrete measures to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Those include tax on jet fuel, a ban on selling cars on petrol and diesel by 2035, border tax, measures for increase energy efficiency in buildings and renewable energy.{{cite news |title=EU unveils sweeping climate change plan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57833807 |access-date=16 July 2021 |agency=BBC |date=15 July 2021}}

Climate initiatives, according to 56% of Europeans, are a source of economic growth. 56% of Europeans also believe that climate change mitigation will produce more employment. 61% of Europeans believe that climate change policies will improve their quality of life.{{cite web |title=2021-2022 EIB Climate Survey, part 3 of 3: The economic and social impact of the green transition |url=https://www.eib.org/en/surveys/climate-survey/4th-climate-survey/green-transition-jobs-lifestyle-adaptation.htm |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=EIB.org |language=en}}

In May 2022 the European Commission proposed a plan that includes measures for speeding emission reduction. The plan includes reducing energy consumption by 13% by the year 2030, reducing oil and gas use by 5% with behavioural changes already in the short time, increase use of biogas and heat pumps. According to the plan, 45% of energy in the European Union should come from renewable sources by 2030.{{cite web |title=REPowerEU: A plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition* |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3131 |website=European Commission |publisher=European Union |access-date=22 May 2022}}

In the summer of 2022 the leaders of the union adopted basic elements of the proposition of the European Commission aiming to reduce the emissions of the union by 61% by the year 2030.

The European Commission predicted in 2020 that extra investment of €260 billion year, or around 2% of EU GDP, would be needed to meet the 2030 climate and energy objectives. Since then, the aim for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2030 has grown (from -40% to -55%), necessitating both more investment and the acceleration of some expenditures.{{Cite web |title=EIB Group Activities in EU cohesion regions in 2021 |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/online/eib-group-activities-in-eu-cohesion-regions-2021 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.eib.org}}{{Cite web |title=2030 Climate Target Plan |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/eu-action/european-green-deal/2030-climate-target-plan_en |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=ec.europa.eu |date=14 July 2021 |language=en}}

File:20210823 Survey of top climate-related concerns in Europe - European Investment Bank.svg (2020–2021).]]

Approximately 57% of EU businesses are investing in energy efficiency, 64% in reducing and recycling trash, and 32% in less polluting industries and technologies. Roughly 40% of businesses made investments in energy efficiency in 2021.{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20220219-econ-eibis-2022-eu |title=EIB Investment Survey 2022 - EU overview |date=2022-11-08 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5397-6 |language=EN}}{{Cite web |title=Press corner |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=European Commission - European Commission |language=en}} About 90% of EU businesses previously made an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.{{Cite web |title=Climate change: what the EU is doing |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/climate-change/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=www.consilium.europa.eu |language=en}} In 2023, physical climate change risks were found to affect around 64% of EU businesses, with just 36% of those businesses taking action to adapt to these risks, through investments in preventing or limiting exposure. Only 13% of businesses purchased insurance to deal with climate-related losses. The largest proportion of firms citing weather events as affecting their operations was found in Spain, with 80%, Portugal 79% and Italy 73%. Denmark, Luxembourg and Latvia (firms) were found to have the fewest weather events affecting them.{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20230285-econ-eibis-2023-eu |title=EIB Investment Survey 2023 - European Union overview |date=2023-10-12 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5609-0 |language=EN}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-13 |title=Climate change will unevenly impact the European financial system {{!}} PreventionWeb |url=https://www.preventionweb.net/news/climate-change-will-unevenly-impact-european-financial-system |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=www.preventionweb.net |language=en}}

The Netherlands has the largest share of companies that have already invested in addressing climate change in the European Union, while Lithuania has the highest share of firms planned to invest in the next three years (following 2023).{{Cite web |last=Pascoe |first=Robin |date=2023-04-15 |title=Three quarters of Dutch firms invest in climate action: survey |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/2023/04/three-quarters-of-dutch-firms-invest-in-climate-action-survey/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=DutchNews.nl |language=en-GB}} Cyprus and Greece have the lowest percentage of enterprises in terms of both investments made and planned investments.{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20230285-econ-eibis-2023-eu |title=EIB Investment Survey 2023 - European Union overview |date=2023-10-12 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5609-0 |language=EN}}

The European Union's key efforts are investments in energy efficiency (59%) and trash minimization and recycling (67%).{{Cite web |title=Eurobarometer |url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/browse/all/theme/000016 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=europa.eu}}

The European Union Emissions Trading System is a major pillar of EU energy policy. It was the first large greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world{{Cite web |title=EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/eu-action/eu-emissions-trading-system-eu-ets_en |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=ec.europa.eu |language=en}} and was launched in 2005 to fight global warming. In 2022, the EU ETS covers emissions from power and heat generation, energy-intensive industrial sectors and commercial aviation within Europe.{{Cite web |title=Increasing the ambition of EU emissions trading |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/eu-action/european-green-deal/delivering-european-green-deal/increasing-ambition-eu-emissions-trading_en |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=ec.europa.eu |language=en}}

Under the "cap and trade" principle, a maximum (cap) is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by all participating installations. EU Allowances for emissions are then auctioned off or allocated for free, and can subsequently be traded. Installations must monitor and report their CO₂ emissions, ensuring they hand in enough allowances to the authorities to cover their emissions. If emission exceeds what is permitted by its allowances, an installation must purchase allowances from others. Conversely, if an installation has performed well at reducing its emissions, it can sell its leftover credits. This allows the system to find the most cost-effective ways of reducing emissions without significant government intervention.

The current EU ETS cap aims to reduce GHG emissions by 43% in 2030 against 2005 emissions, but in the "Fit for 55" package, the EU commission proposes to increase the reduction target for 2030 to -61% compared to 2005 emissions.

British government and economist Nicholas Stern published the Stern report in 2006. The Review states that climate change is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen, presenting a unique challenge for economics. The Review provides prescriptions including environmental taxes to minimize the economic and social disruptions. The Stern Review's main conclusion is that the benefits of strong, early action on climate change far outweigh the costs of not acting.{{cite book

|year=2006

|contribution=Summary of Conclusions

|title=Executive summary (short)

|series=Stern Review Report on the Economics of Climate Change (pre-publication edition)

|publisher=HM Treasury

|url=http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/CLOSED_SHORT_executive_summary.pdf

|author=Stern, N.

|access-date=2011-04-28}} The Review points to the potential effects of climate change on water resources, food production, health, and the environment. According to the Review, without action, the overall costs of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP) each year, now and forever. Including a wider range of risks and effects could increase this to 20% of GDP or more.

No-one can predict the consequences of climate change with complete certainty; but we now know enough to understand the risks. The review leads to a simple conclusion: the benefits of strong, early action considerably outweigh the costs.[http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4/3/Executive_Summary.pdf Sir Nicholas Stern: Stern Review : The Economics of Climate Change, Executive Summary,10/2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920174308/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4/3/Executive_Summary.pdf |date=September 20, 2008 }}

The EU parliament declared a climate emergency in November 2019. It urged all EU countries to commit to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. MEPs backed a tougher target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. The vote came as scientists warned that the world may have already crossed a series of climate tipping points, resulting in "a state of planetary emergency".[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/28/eu-parliament-declares-climate-emergency 'Our house is on fire': EU parliament declares climate emergency] The Guardian 28 Nov 2019 The parliament also calls to end all fossil fuel subsidies by 2020, increase at least twice the payments to the green climate fund, make sure that all the legislation and the European budget will be in line with the 1.5 degrees target, and reduce emissions from aviation and shipping.{{cite web |title=The European Parliament declares climate emergency |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20191121IPR67110/the-european-parliament-declares-climate-emergency |website=European Parliament |date=29 November 2019 |access-date=3 December 2019}}

File:Climate_investment_is_stalling,_but_more_firms_plan_to_invest,_with_firms_in_low-carbon_sectors_taking_the_lead.jpg

The European Investment Bank declared that it will divest almost completely from fossil fuels from the year 2021 and started to phase out acceptance of new projects in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Ambrose |first1=Jillian |last2=Henley |first2=Jon |title=European Investment Bank to phase out fossil fuel financing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/15/european-investment-bank-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-financing |access-date=3 December 2019 |agency=The Guardian |date=15 November 2019}}

The central bank of Sweden sold its bonds in the provinces of Queensland, Western Australia in Australia and the province Alberta from Canada because of severe climate effects from those provinces.{{cite news |title=Sweden's central bank dumps Australian bonds over high emissions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/15/swedens-central-bank-dumps-australian-bonds-over-high-emissions |access-date=3 December 2019 |agency=Reuters |work=The Guardian |date=14 November 2019}}

In November 2019, the European parliament adopted resolutions calling to end all subsidies of fossil fuels by 2020.

In 2019 the European Parliament created rules for identification of sustainable investments. The measure should help achieve climate neutral Europe.{{cite web |title=Climate change: new rules agreed to determine which investments are green |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20191217IPR69202/climate-change-new-rules-agreed-to-determine-which-investments-are-green |website=European Parliament |date=17 December 2019 |access-date=17 December 2019}}

27% of companies in less developed areas report that climate change is having a big effect on their business, while 40% have a slight effect. Only 19% and 43%, respectively, of businesses in transition zones claim that climate change is significantly affecting their business.{{Cite web |title=Regional Cohesion in Europe 2021-2022 |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications-research/economics/surveys-data/eibis-cohesion-report-2021-2022.htm |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=EIB.org |language=en}} Less developed regions also have the lowest percentage of businesses who have made investments to combat climate change or reduce their carbon emissions (46%).{{Cite web |title=Six ways that governments can drive the green transition |url=https://www.ey.com/en_kw/government-public-sector/six-ways-that-governments-can-drive-the-green-transition |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.ey.com |language=en-KW}}

In May 2020, the €750 billion European recovery package and the €1 trillion budget were announced, the European Green Deal being part of it. The money will be spent only on projects that meet some green criteria; 25% of all funding will go to climate change mitigation. Fossil fuels and nuclear power are excluded from the funding. The recovery package should also restore some equilibrium between rich and poor countries in the European Union.{{cite web |last1=Simon |first1=Frédéric |title='Do no harm': EU recovery fund has green strings attached |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/do-no-harm-eu-recovery-fund-has-green-strings-attached/ |website=Euroacrtive |date=27 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020}} In July the recovery package and the budget were generally accepted, and budget allocation going to climate action was raised to 30%. The plan includes some green taxation on European products and on imports. Critics say it is still not enough for achieving the climate targets of the European Union and it is not clear how to ensure that all the money will really go to green projects.{{cite news |last1=Abnett |first1=Kate |title=Factbox: How 'green' is the EU's recovery deal? |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-summit-climate-change-factbox/factbox-how-green-is-the-eus-recovery-deal-idUSKCN24M19V |access-date=24 July 2020 |work=Reuters |date=21 July 2020}}

In May 2020, the European Union published 2 plans that are part of the European Green Deal: The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and From Farm to Fork.

In the official page of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is cited Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, saying that:

{{blockquote|"Making nature healthy again is key to our physical and mental wellbeing and is an ally in the fight against climate change and disease outbreaks. It is at the heart of our growth strategy, the European Green Deal, and is part of a European recovery that gives more back to the planet than it takes away."}}

The biodiversity strategy is an essential part of the climate change mitigation strategy of the European Union. From the 25% of the European budget that will go to fight climate change, large parts will go to restore biodiversity and nature based solutions.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 includes the next targets:

• Protect 30% of the sea territory and 30% of the land territory especially Old-growth forests.
• Plant 3 billion trees by the year 2030.
• Restore at least 25,000 kilometers of rivers, so they will become free flowing.
• Reduce the use of Pesticides by 50% by the year 2030.
• Increase Organic farming.
• Increase Biodiversity in agriculture.
• Give €20 billion per year to the issue and make it part of the business practice.

According to the page, approximately half of the global GDP depends on nature. In Europe many parts of the economy that generate trillions of Euros per year, depend on nature. Only the benefits of Natura 2000 in Europe are €200 - €300 billion per year.{{cite web |title=EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/actions-being-taken-eu/eu-biodiversity-strategy-2030_en |website=European Commission website |publisher=European Union |access-date=25 May 2020}} 50px Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].

In the official page of the program From Farm to Fork is cited Frans Timmermans the Executive Vice-president of the European Commission, saying that:

{{blockquote|"The coronavirus crisis has shown how vulnerable we all are, and how important it is to restore the balance between human activity and nature. At the heart of the Green Deal the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies point to a new and better balance of nature, food systems and biodiversity; to protect our people's health and well-being, and at the same time to increase the EU's competitiveness and resilience. These strategies are a crucial part of the great transition we are embarking upon."}}

The program include the next targets:

• Making 25% of EU agriculture organic, by the year 2030.
• Reduce by 50% the use of Pesticides by the year 2030.
• Reduce the use of Fertilizers by 20% by the year 2030.
• Reduce nutrient loss by at least 50%.
• Reduce the use of antimicrobials in agriculture and antimicrobials in aquaculture by 50% by 2030.
• Create sustainable food labeling.
• Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
• Dedicate to R&I related to the issue €10 billion.{{cite web |title=From Farm to Fork |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/actions-being-taken-eu/farm-fork_en |website=European Commission website |publisher=European Union |access-date=26 May 2020}} 50px Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].

In 2022 the Environment Ministers of the European Union backed a new law aiming to increase carbon sinks such as forests.

In 2022 the European parliament approved a bill aiming to stop the import linked with deforestation. The bill may cause to Brazil, for example, to stop deforestation for agricultural production and begun to "increase productivity on existing agricultural land".{{cite web |last1=Schröder |first1=André |title=European bill passes to ban imports of deforestation-linked commodities |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2022/09/european-bill-passes-to-ban-imports-of-deforestation-linked-commodities/ |website=Mongabay |date=15 September 2022 |access-date=18 September 2022}} The legislation was adopted with some changes by the European Council in May 2023 and is expected to enter into force several weeks after. The bill requires companies who want to import certain types of products to the European Union to prove the production of those commodities is not linked to areas deforested after 31 of December 2020. It prohibits also import of products linked with Human rights abuse. The list of products includes: palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy. Some derivatives of those products are also included: chocolate, furniture, printed paper and several palm oil based derivates.{{cite web |title=Council adopts new rules to cut deforestation worldwide |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/05/16/council-adopts-new-rules-to-cut-deforestation-worldwide/ |website=European Counsil |publisher=European Union |access-date=22 May 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Téllez Chávez |first1=Luciana |title=EU Approves Law for 'Deforestation-Free' Trade |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/16/eu-approves-law-deforestation-free-trade |website=Human Rights Watch |date=16 May 2023 |access-date=22 May 2023}}

Wood harvesting and supply have reached around 550 million m3 per year, while the total increasing stock of European forests has more than quadrupled during the previous six decades. It now accounts for around 35 billion m3 of forest biomass.{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20220173-forests-at-the-heart-of-sustainable-development |title=Forests at the heart of sustainable development: Investing in forests to meet biodiversity and climate goals |date=2022-12-08 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5403-4 |language=EN}}{{Cite journal |last1=Zhao |first1=Jianheng |last2=Wei |first2=Xinyuan |last3=Li |first3=Ling |date=2022 |title=The potential for storing carbon by harvested wood products |journal=Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |volume=5 |bibcode=2022FrFGC...555410Z |doi=10.3389/ffgc.2022.1055410 |issn=2624-893X |doi-access=free}} Since the beginning of the 1990s, the amounts of wood and carbon stored in European forests have increased by 50% due to greater forest area and biomass stocks. Every year, European woods adsorb and store around 155 million tonnes {{CO2}} equivalent. This is comparable to 10% of all other sectors' emissions in Europe.{{Cite web |title=Forest-based bioeconomy and climate change mitigation: trade-offs and synergies |url=https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news/forest-based-bioeconomy-and-climate-change-mitigation-trade-offs-and-synergies-2021-05-06_en |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Carbon footprint of tropical timber |url=https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/publication/carbon-footprint-of-tropical-timber/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=IDH - the Sustainable Trade Initiative |language=en-US}}

The forestry industry tries to mitigate climate change by boosting carbon storage in growing trees and soils and improving the sustainable supply of renewable raw materials via sustainable forest management.{{Cite web |last=MÜLLER |first=Ulrike |title=REPORT on a new EU Forest Strategy for 2030 – Sustainable Forest Management in Europe {{!}} A9-0225/2022 {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2022-0225_EN.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en}}

File:In_Europe,_more_people_want_public_transport_and_electric_cars..svg

In 2022, the leaders of the union agreed to ban sales of cars emitting {{CO2}} from the year 2035.{{cite web |last1=Abnett |first1=Kate |title=New EU climate change deals: Banning fossil fuel cars by 2035, and what else? |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/eu-climate-change-policy-co2-fossil-fuels-2030-targets |website=World Economic Forum |publisher=Reuters |access-date=6 July 2022}}

In December 2022 the European Commission approved a law forbidding flights on planes in France, if people can pass the distance on a train in 2.5 hours. Greenpeace demanded to extend the law, by following the advice of the European Commission to include connecting flights. Greenpeace cited a report according to which, if it will be 6 hours instead of 2.5, it will cut global greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to 3.5 million tonnes {{CO2}} annually.{{cite web |last1=Massy-Beresford |first1=Helen |title=European Commission Approves French Domestic Short-Flight Ban |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/299048/european-commission-approves-french-domestic-short-flight-ban/ |website=Routes |access-date=6 December 2022}}

The European Parliament is advancing a set of rules intended to:{{cite web |title=Stopping greenwashing: how the EU regulates green claims |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240111STO16722/stopping-greenwashing-how-the-eu-regulates-green-claims |website=European Parliament |date=15 January 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024}}

• Ban presenting the product as green without proof.
• Forbade claiming it is carbon neutral based solely on carbon offsets. Such claim will be approved only for residual emissions.{{cite web |title=Parliament wants to improve consumer protection against misleading claims |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19001/parliament-wants-to-improve-consumer-protection-against-misleading-claims |website=European Parliament |date=12 March 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024}}
• Support making more durable products.
• Forbade presenting a product more durable than it is.

Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz v. Switzerland (2024) was a landmark{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/world/europe/climate-human-rights.html |title=In Landmark Climate Ruling, European Court Faults Switzerland |date=9 April 2024 |last1=Kwai |first1=Isabella |last2=Bubola |first2=Emma |work=The New York Times |access-date=9 April 2024 |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409094611/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/world/europe/climate-human-rights.html |url-status=live }} European Court of Human Rights case in which the court ruled that Switzerland violated the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to adequately address climate change. It is the first case in which an international court has ruled that state inaction related to climate change violates human rights.{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Ellen |last2=Harlan |first2=Chico |title=European court rules Switzerland climate inaction violated human rights |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/04/09/europe-climate-change-court-cases-switzerland-portugal-france/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=9 April 2024}}

{{Further|Climate change adaptation}}

File:EU_firms_to_benefit_from_clarity_on_the_pathway_to_carbon-neutrality.jpg

Climate change threatens to undermine decades of development gains in Europe and put at risk efforts to eradicate poverty.{{cite book|last1=Kurukulasuriya|first1=Pradeep|url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/resources/reports-and-publications-country-teams/climate-change-adaptation-europe-and-central-asia|title=Climate Change Adaptation in Europe and Central Asia: Adapting to a changing climate for resilient development|publisher=UNDP|year=2018}} In 2013, the European Union adopted the 'EU Adaptation Strategy', which had three key objectives: (1) promoting action by member states, which includes providing funding, (2) promoting adaptation in climate-sensitive sectors and (3) research.{{cite web|last=Staff|date=2016-11-23|title=EU Adaptation Strategy|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/what_en|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Climate Action - European Commission|language=en}}

The Climate Adaptation Investment Advisory Platform (ADAPT) of the European Union helps the public and commercial sectors plan and invest in climate change adaptation and resilience efforts.{{Cite web |title=The EBRD joins the Clean Oceans Initiative |url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/2022/the-ebrd-joins-the-clean-oceans-initiative.html |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.ebrd.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Climate Adaptation Investment Advisory Platform (ADAPT) |url=https://advisory.eib.org/about/adapt.htm |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=eiah}} The European Green Deal is another initiative that aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Accelerating the transition to a circular economy is one of the Green Deal's main cornerstones.{{Cite web |last=Anyiego |first=Beldine |date=2022-08-15 |title=AFRICA: The Clean Oceans initiative will fund twice as many projects as expected? |url=https://www.copip.eu/news/africa-the-clean-oceans-initiative-will-fund-twice-as-many-projects-as-expected/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=COPIP}}

File:20210824 Survey - climate change impact on daily life - European Investment Bank.svg survey on the public opinion on climate change in the EU, United States and China.]]

File:What_are_the_biggest_challenges_for_Europeans._In_your_opinion,_what_are_the_three_biggest_challenges_that_citizens_in_your_country_-are_currently_facing..svg's Climate Survey 2020 - 2021 think the biggest challenge their country is facing is climate change. ]]The majority of individuals in the eastern EU countries are relatively less positive about the influence of climate measures on the employment market. 55% of Eastern Europeans believe that measures against climate change will result in less jobs. In Western Europe, 60% of respondents believe that policies would generate more jobs. While seeking employment, an increasing number of people are looking at businesses' environmental credentials. Over two-thirds of Europeans (62%) believe that future employers should prioritize sustainability. It is even a high priority for 16% of Europeans.{{Cite web |title=2022-2023 EIB Climate Survey, part 2 of 2: Majority of young Europeans say the climate impact of prospective employers is an important factor when job hunting |url=https://www.eib.org/en/surveys/climate-survey/5th-climate-survey/climate-impact-important-factor-for-jobseekers.htm |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=EIB.org |language=en}}

62% of Europeans believe that the green transition will reduce their buying power.

66% of Europeans believe the climate emergency will be a severe problem by the mid-century, and 30% believe that the climate emergency will be under control by 2050.

Europeans believe climate change is a threat, with 29% of the EU population expecting to be forced to relocate to another area. People of ages 20–29 are concerned about the potential of having to relocate due to climate challenges. Because of climate change, 33% of Europeans feel they will have to relocate to a colder or warmer area or nation, according to the European Investment Bank's climate survey in 2020.{{cite web |date=2020 |title=THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 2019-2020 |url=https://www.eib.org/attachments/thematic/the_eib_climate_survey_2019_2020_en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705014013/https://www.eib.org/attachments/thematic/the_eib_climate_survey_2019_2020_en.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-05}}

In European Investment Bank's Climate Survey of 2020, 90% of Europeans believe their children will experience the effects of climate change in their daily lives. The survey showed a high concern for the climate from the 30 000 individuals surveyed, explaining that a majority of respondents are also prepared to pay a new tax in accordance with climate laws. Only 9% of Europeans do not think climate change is occurring, compared to 18% in the United States.

File:Ende Gelände Protest auf der Nord-Süd Bahn vor dem Kraftwerk Neurath.jpg holding a protest in 2019.]]

The critics include that European companies, like in other OECD countries, have moved the energy-intensive, polluting, and climate gas-emitting industry to Asia and South America. In respect to climate change there are no harmless areas. Carbon emissions from all countries are equal. The agreements exclude significant factors like deforestation, aviation and tourism, the actual end consumption of energy and the history of emissions. Negotiations are country oriented but the economical interests are in conflict between the energy producers, consumers and the environment.

In the EU, 75% of the population claims they are more worried about the climate crisis than their politicians.{{cite web|title=2021-2022 EIB Climate Survey, part 1 of 3: Europeans sceptical about successfully reducing carbon emissions by 2050, American and Chinese respondents more confident|url=https://www.eib.org/en/surveys/climate-survey/4th-climate-survey/skepticism-reduced-carbon-emission-targets.htm|access-date=2022-02-22|website=EIB.org|language=en}} 51% of EU citizens cite government inaction as a major difficulty when facing the climate crisis, and 81% cite climate change as the most serious problem of the twenty-first century.{{cite web|title=Citizen support for climate action|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/citizen-support-climate-action_en|access-date=2022-02-22|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en}}

Climate change is also a factor when job searching, according to 54% of young Europeans.

As a form of climate action, 42% of Europeans, specifically 48% of women and 34% of men, invest in second-hand clothing rather than buying new. Younger populations, aged 15 to 29, were found more likely to do so than older generations.{{cite web|title=Meet the 2020 consumers driving change|url=https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/EXK4XKX8|website=IBM Research Insights}}{{cite web|title=Perspectives on retail and consumer goods|url=https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/perspectives%20on%20retail%20and%20consumer%20goods%20number%208/perspectives-on-retail-and-consumer-goods_issue-8.pdf|website=McKinsey}}

33% of car buyers in Europe will also opt for a petrol / diesel car when purchasing a new vehicle. 67% of them mentioned opting for the hybrid or electric version. In the EU, only 13% of the total population do not plan on owning a vehicle at all.{{cite web|date=2022-02-02|title=67% of Europeans will opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle as their next purchase, says EIB survey|url=https://mayorsofeurope.eu/reports-analyses/67-of-europeans-will-opt-for-a-hybrid-or-electric-vehicle-as-their-next-purchase/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Mayors of Europe|language=en-US}}

44% of Europeans aged 20–29 fear they could lose their jobs because of climate change.

Europeans expect lifestyle changes to experience great transformation in the next 20 years. 31% of respondents to an EU climate survey believe that most people will no longer have their own vehicle. 63% believe that teleworking will become the norm in the fight against climate change. 36% of respondents believe most people will no longer consume animal products. 48% predict that energy quotas will be individually assigned. In 2024, 72% of respondents to the same survey acknowledge that they will need to adjust their lifestyle in response to climate change, with the figure rising to 81% among those in southern European countries.

{{Main|School strike for climate}}

School strikes for climate became well known when the Swedish teen Greta Thunberg started to strike in the summer of 2018 and starting from September 2018 she began to strike every Friday.{{Cite news|last=Gould|first=Liam|date=2019-08-20|title=How Greta Thunberg's climate strikes became a global movement in a year|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-climate-thunberg-idUSKCN1VA001|access-date=2021-02-28}} The movement started to pick up in January 2019 with mass strikes happened in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.{{cite web|date=2019-01-18|title=12,000+ Belgian Students Skip School to Demand Climate Action|url=https://www.ecowatch.com/belgium-students-climate-change-2626356905.html|access-date=2021-02-28|website=EcoWatch|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Swiss youths strike for climate protection|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/environmental-protest_swiss-youths-strike-for-climate-protection-/44687898|access-date=2021-02-28|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=18 January 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web|date=2019-02-18|title=Schüler streiken für Klimaschutz: "It's our fucking future" {{!}} MDR.DE|url=https://www.mdr.de/sachsen-anhalt/halle/halle/schueler-streiken-fuer-klimaschutz-fridays-for-future-100.html|access-date=2021-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218033313/https://www.mdr.de/sachsen-anhalt/halle/halle/schueler-streiken-fuer-klimaschutz-fridays-for-future-100.html|archive-date=2019-02-18}} In the following months mass strikes were reported in numerous European countries. There were numerous global climate strikes that also took place in Europe on 15 March 2019,{{cite web|date=2019-03-15|title=Climate strikes: Students in 123 countries take part in marches|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/15/climate-strike-school-students-from-over-120-countries-march-to-change-history|access-date=2021-02-28|website=euronews|language=en}} 24 May 2019,{{Cite magazine|title=Students From 1,600 Cities Just Walked Out of School to Protest Climate Change. It Could Be Greta Thunberg's Biggest Strike Yet|url=https://time.com/5595365/global-climate-strikes-greta-thunberg/|access-date=2021-02-28|magazine=Time}} from 20 to 27 September 2019 (global climate action week),{{cite web|date=2019-09-20|title=Across the globe, millions join biggest climate protest ever|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/21/across-the-globe-millions-join-biggest-climate-protest-ever|access-date=2021-02-28|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{cite web|date=2019-09-27|title=Climate crisis: 6 million people join latest wave of global protests|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/27/climate-crisis-6-million-people-join-latest-wave-of-worldwide-protests|access-date=2021-02-28|website=the Guardian|language=en}} 29 November 2019{{cite web|date=2019-11-29|title=Global climate protests ahead of Madrid meeting|url=https://apnews.com/article/e83d6b502d1443ac9d2ce5af8464f29a|access-date=2021-02-28|website=AP NEWS}} and 25 September 2020. The strikes during 2020 were limited because of COVID-19.{{cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Fridays for Future: Climate strikers are back on the streets {{!}} DW {{!}} 25.09.2020|url=https://www.dw.com/en/climate-change-environment-greta-thunberg-merkel-global-strike-climate-action-luisa-neubauer/a-54618006|access-date=2021-02-28|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}

{{Main|Extinction Rebellion}}

File:Declaration of Rebellion at Parliament Square 52.jpg protesting at Parliament Square, London in 2018.]]

Extinction Rebellion (XR) was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom and is a civil disobedience movement. Their first planned action was in London were 5000 demonstrators blocked the most important bridges of the city.{{Cite news|date=2019-10-07|title=What is Extinction Rebellion and what does it want?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48607989|access-date=2021-03-04}} The movement quickly spread around Europe.{{cite news|date=2018-11-17|title=Fine Gael criticised for 'self-congratulation' on climate change|newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/fine-gael-criticised-for-self-congratulation-on-climate-change-1.3701691|access-date=2021-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117222013/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/fine-gael-criticised-for-self-congratulation-on-climate-change-1.3701691|archive-date=2018-11-17}}{{cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Extinction Rebellion: The activists risking prison to save the planet {{!}} DW {{!}} 15.04.2019|url=https://www.dw.com/en/extinction-rebellion-the-activists-risking-prison-to-save-the-planet/a-48302957|access-date=2021-03-04|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}} In October 2019 there was the first global rebellion with numerous demonstrations in European cities.{{cite web|date=2019-09-23|title=Extinction Rebellion plans new London climate crisis shutdowns|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/23/extinction-rebellion-plans-new-london-shutdowns-over-climate-crisis|access-date=2021-03-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

In 2023, the annual EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis on 15 July was established in a joint declaration by European Parliament, European Council and European Commission.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=The EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis |url=https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/eu-day-victims-global-climate-crisis-2023-07-13_en |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=European Commission |language=en}}

{{Further|:Category:Climate change by country}}

File:Southern_and_South-Eastern_Europe_sees_more_impact_of_climate_change_on_everyday_life_than_other_locations..svg's Climate Survey found that Southern and South-Eastern Europe sees more pronounced effects of climate change on everyday life than other locations]]

{{Main|Climate change in Austria}}

At the beginning of 2020, major parties in Austria reached a deal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The plan included producing all electricity from renewable sources by 2030, implementing a nationwide carbon tax, and introducing a tax on flying while making train travel more attractive.{{cite news|date=3 January 2020|title=Austria's New Government Sets Goal to Be Carbon Neutral by 2040|publisher=Deutsche Welle|agency=Ecowatch|url=https://www.ecowatch.com/austria-government-climate-change-2643731503.html|access-date=5 January 2020}}

In 2020, the country's last coal-fired power station was closed, making Austria the second coal-free country in Europe after Belgium. The government officially adopted the goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. {{cite news|last1=Simon|first1=Frédéric|date=20 April 2020|title=Austria becomes second EU country to exit coal|agency=EURACTIV|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/electricity/news/austria-becomes-second-eu-country-to-exit-coal/|access-date=26 April 2020}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Belgium}}

{{Excerpt|Environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina#Climate change}}

Croatia aims to reduce {{CO2}} emissions by 45% by 2030 and phase out coal by 2033. However, the shift to a low-carbon economy will necessitate significant expenditures in new energy infrastructure and additional renewable energy resources.{{Cite web |title=Greener Croatia aims to cut emissions, secure energy supply |url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/energy-croatia-greener-supply-zagreb |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Government of the Republic of Croatia - Croatia will reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, our coal phase-out year is 2033 |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/croatia-will-reduce-co2-emissions-by-45-by-2030-our-coal-phase-out-year-is-2033/33278 |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=vlada.gov.hr}}{{Cite web |last=Todorović |first=Igor |date=2021-11-03 |title=Croatia announces at COP26 that it would stop using coal in 2033 or sooner |url=https://balkangreenenergynews.com/croatia-announces-at-cop26-that-it-would-stop-using-coal-in-2033-or-sooner/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Balkan Green Energy News |language=en-US}}

Croatia established a 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan to attain its aim. The national policy targets for a 36.4% renewable energy share by 2030, as well as major investment in the energy industry, including hydropower, wind farms, solar photovoltaic facilities, and hydrogen energy.{{Cite web |title=Summary of the Commission assessment of the draft National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 |url=https://energy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-06/necp_factsheet_hr_final_0.pdf}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Cyprus}}

{{Further|Climate of Denmark|Climate change in Greenland}}

In 2019 Denmark passed a law in which its pledge to reduce GHG emissions by 70% by 2030 from the level in 1990. It also pledged to achieve zero emissions by 2050. The law includes strong monitoring system and setting intermediate targets every 5 years. It includes a pledge to help climate action in other countries and consider climate effects in diplomatic and economic relations with other countries.{{cite news|last1=Timperley|first1=Jocelyn|date=2019-12-06|title=Denmark adopts climate law to cut emissions 70% by 2030|agency=Climate Home News|url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2019/12/06/denmark-adopts-climate-law-cut-emissions-70-2030/|access-date=8 December 2019}}

Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark. In 2021 Greenland banned all new oil and gas exploration on its territory. The government of Greenland explained the decision as follows: "price of oil extraction is too high,"{{cite news|last1=COHEN|first1=LI|date=16 July 2021|title=Greenland halts new oil exploration to combat climate change and focus on sustainable development|agency=CBC|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/greenland-ends-oil-exploration-to-combat-climate-change-and-focus-on-sustainable-development/|access-date=20 July 2021}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Finland}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in France|only=paragraphs}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Germany}}

{{See also|Climate of Iceland}}

Iceland has a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040.{{cite web |title=Climate Change |url=https://www.government.is/topics/environment-climate-and-nature-protection/climate-change/ |access-date=11 May 2020 |website=Government of Iceland}} It wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030.{{cite web |date=25 October 2019 |title=The European Union, Iceland and Norway agree to deepen their cooperation in climate action |url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/european-union-iceland-and-norway-agree-deepen-their-cooperation-climate-action_en |access-date=11 May 2020 |website=Climate Action |publisher=European Union}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in the Republic of Ireland}}

{{Main|Climate change in Italy}}

File:Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, v2, 2010 Northeast Italy (13873744025).jpg

In 2019, Italy became the first country in the world to introduce mandatory lessons about sustainability and climate change. The lessons will be taught in all schools, in the ages 6 –19, one hour each week.{{cite news|last1=Squires|first1=Nick|date=5 November 2019|title=Italy to become first country to make studying climate change compulsory in schools|agency=The Telegrafh|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/11/05/italy-become-first-country-make-studying-climate-change-compulsory/|access-date=13 November 2019}} According to the European Investment Bank climate survey from 2020, 70% of Europeans have either switched to a green energy supplier or are prepared to do so. This ratio is 82% in Italy.{{cite web|date=2020|title=THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 2019-2020|url=https://www.eib.org/attachments/thematic/the_eib_climate_survey_2019_2020_en.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705014013/https://www.eib.org/attachments/thematic/the_eib_climate_survey_2019_2020_en.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-05 }}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in the Netherlands|files=0}}

{{excerpt|Climate change in Norway|paragraphs=1}}

{{Main|Climate change in Portugal}}

Portugal is beginning to promote climate action and support UN Sustainable Development Goals through various projects. Portugal Blue is a collaboration formed in October 2020 by the EIB Group, Banco Português de Fomento, and the Portuguese government (via Fundo Azul) to boost investment in the blue economy. The cooperation seeks to raise approximately €80 million in finance from public and institutional investors via venture capital and private equity funds, focused on blue economy funds that are entirely focused on ocean sustainability and climate action.{{Cite web |title=PORTUGAL BLUE: a new initiative for blue economy investments |url=https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/resources/portugal-blue/index.htm |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.eif.org}}{{Cite web |title=Portuguese demand a fair climate transition at home and for developing countries, sixth edition of EIB survey finds |url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2023-461-portuguese-demand-a-fair-climate-transition-at-home-and-for-developing-countries-sixth-edition-of-eib-survey-finds |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Russia|paragraphs=1}}

{{excerpt|Climate change in Sweden|paragraphs=1}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Spain}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Turkey}}

{{Further|Climate of Ukraine}}

The EU is trying to support a move away from coal.{{cite web|title=Commission launches the secretariat of a new initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/commission-launches-secretariat-new-initiative-coal-regions-transition-western-balkans-and-ukraine-2021-feb-15_en|access-date=2021-02-18|website=European Commission - European Commission|language=en}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in the United Kingdom|paragraphs=1}}

{{Portal|Climate change|Ecology|Environment}}

• 2022 European drought
• 2023 European drought
• Climate of Europe
• Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
• Energy policy of the European Union
• Environmental policy of the European Union
• European Federation for Transport and Environment
• European Green Party
• European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER)
• European Union Emission Trading Scheme
• Greens–European Free Alliance
• List of European power companies by carbon intensity
• Plug-in electric vehicles in Europe
• Renewable energy in the European Union

{{Reflist}}

• [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/campaign/index_en.htm Climate change in the EU].
• [http://ec.europa.eu/climateaction/index_en.htm Climate Action]

{{Climate change in Europe}}{{Climate change regions|state=expanded}}

Category:Natural disasters in Europe

Eur

Category:Carbon emissions in the European Union