Overview
- EU greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 37% since 1990, yet 81% of protected habitats are in poor condition, 60–70% of soils are degraded, and 62% of water bodies fail good ecological status.
- Weather- and climate-related extremes caused more than 240,000 deaths in the EU since 1980 and €738 billion in losses, with average annual losses in 2020–2023 2.5 times higher than in 2010–2019.
- The European Environment Agency estimates roughly €743 billion per year is needed through 2030 to meet Green Deal goals and curb far higher future costs.
- Member states adopted a minimal 2035 compromise and remain divided over a 90% emissions cut by 2040, increasing pressure on the bloc before COP30 in Belém.
- Heat risk remains high: 19% of Europeans cannot keep homes comfortably cool and only 21 of 38 countries have heat-health action plans.