European Commission says EU lags behind on plans to achieve zero pollution

The European Union will definitely fail to meet its zero pollution targets by 2030 in three out of 11 sectors, and is at risk of missing the deadline in three more.

The European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have released the results of their analysis of progress in the second report “Monitoring and prospects for zero pollution”.

The document provides an overview of the EU's efforts to achieve the zero pollution goals by 2030. Its authors noted that EU policies have contributed to a reduction in the use of pesticides, antimicrobials and the amount of plastic waste in the sea.

“However, pollution levels are still too high, in particular due to harmful noise, microplastic emissions into the environment, nutrient pollution, and waste generation,” the officials said.

According to the report, much stronger action is needed to meet the EU's 2030 pollution reduction targets.

Goals against which progress was assessed

The dynamics of achievement were analyzed by 6 “zero pollution” goals, some of which are divided into several sectors:

• Target 1 – Reduce the health impact of polluted air by more than 55%.
• Target 2 – Reduce by 30% the proportion of people who are constantly disturbed by traffic noise.
• Target 3 – Reduce by 25% the number of EU ecosystems whose biodiversity is threatened by air pollution.
• Target 4A – Reduce nutrient loss by 50%.
• Target 4B – Reduce pesticide use and risk by 50%.
• Target 4C – Reduce the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50%.
• Target 4D – Reduce sales of antimicrobials for use on farms and in aquaculture by 50%.
• Target 5A – Reduce marine plastic pollution by 50%.
• Target 5B – Reduce by 30% the amount of microplastics entering the environment.
• Target 6A – Significantly reduce the total amount of waste generated.
• Target 6B – Reduce the amount of residual household waste by 50%.

What were the results of the analysis?

The analysts have clearly shown the results of their assessment in the infographic below. According to their data, the EU will be able to achieve its goals in sectors 1 and 4B (“on track”). In three more sectors – 4C, 4D, and 5A – achieving the goal remains possible (“likely”).

Three more sectors are among those whose targets are unlikely to be achieved – 3, 4A and 6A. Sectors 2, 5B, and 6B are in the group that will not be able to achieve their targets (“off track”).

Source: eea.europa.eu.

Analysts stated that the analysis of achieving the zero pollution goals showed a mixed picture:

1. Target 1, aimed at reducing the impact of air pollution on health, is being met on time: a 45% reduction was achieved compared to the baseline year of 2005.
2. Progress on target 2 is limited, with a reduction of only 2% compared to 2017.
3. Target 3 seems unlikely to be achieved. The reduction was only 13%. According to the researchers, pollution continues to threaten EU ecosystems, especially with substances such as ammonia and nitrogen oxides.
4. The report says that a 50% reduction in nutrient losses, as set out in Target 4A, is unlikely to be achieved due to ongoing problems with agricultural runoff and fertilizer use. This indicator remains virtually unchanged.
5. Although the EU is making progress on Targets 4B and 4C (by 46% and 25% respectively), analysts reminded that risk reduction should not be linked solely to sustainable agricultural practices and recommended that the indicator methodology be revised to ensure accurate assessment.
6. Target 4D, according to the report's authors, shows progress – a 28% reduction – thanks to effective regulation and national measures.
7. Target 5A, which aims to reduce plastic pollution by 50%, shows progress in reducing marine litter, with a 29% reduction.
8. Target 5B, which deals with microplastics, is lagging behind, with an increase of 7-9%.
9. Targets 6A and 6B remain unlikely to be achieved: the reduction is only 0.5% and 1.5%, respectively.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote that the European Commission assessed the progress in achieving environmental goals, and officials did not like the results. We also said that in 2022, employment in the field of environmental protection in the EU increased by an average of 9.5% compared to 2021.