EU countries risk missing key 2025 environmental goals

EU nations face challenges meeting their 2025 targets for waste reduction, recycling and carbon emissions, with only a few countries on track to comply.

Marianne Gros and Giovanna Coi report for POLITICO.


In short:

  • EU nations must implement separate textile waste collection, but only 11 have mandatory systems in place, contributing to clothing waste issues in countries like Romania.
  • Recycling targets for municipal waste and electronics appear out of reach, with only a handful of countries nearing or meeting goals.
  • While most carmakers seem on track to reduce CO2 emissions by 15% by 2025, many nations lag in biodiversity funding and reducing plastic bottle waste.

Why this matters:

Missing environmental goals delays progress on climate action and risks worsening pollution and biodiversity loss. Effective waste management and CO2 reduction are critical for meeting broader 2050 carbon neutrality plans.

Related: Climate pledges fall short as COP29 approaches

Typhoon victims wade through floodwaters in storm aftermath
Credit: Photo by Misbahul Aulia on Unsplash

Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves dozens dead in central Philippines

Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least 66 people dead and 26 missing in the central Philippines. Many were trapped on roofs or swept away by floods in Cebu, which was hit hard on Tuesday.
Ships in port with refinery and pollution-belching smokestack in background
Credit: Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash

The global race to slash emissions — in nine charts

The pressure is on for leaders attending the 30th UN Climate Change Conference to prevent global warming from accelerating further. Where are countries making strides?
Penguins gather on Antarctic ice floes against a rocky coast

A record-breaking glacier could alter predictions about sea-level rise

Antarctica’s Hektoria Glacier retreated five miles in two months, 10 times faster than the previous record, with possible implications for the pace of sea-level rise.
Colorful huts along a tropical beach with people on the sand

Beach erosion and rising sea levels threaten Senegalese communities

Rising sea levels are eroding Senegal’s shorelines, leaving communities and the country’s government scrambling to cope with the implications.
An illustration of the globe with people migrating toward the U.S.

Flooding and droughts drove them from their homes. Now they’re seeking a safe haven in New York

Data analysis found higher than average migration growth to the US from areas in Guatemala, Bangladesh and Senegal hit by repeated climate disasters.
Two older people sitting at a kitchen table looking at bills

What happens when your insurance company goes bankrupt after a hurricane?

Hurricane Ida revealed a fragile insurance industry ill-prepared for the consequences of climate change. More than four years later, what's changed?
Climate control technology illustrated with an atmospheric pie chart superimposed on global earth
Credit: T. L. Furrer/BigStock Photo ID: 22337366

Solar geoengineering in wrong hands could wreak climate havoc, scientists warn

Blocking the sun may reduce global heating – but ‘rogue actor’ could cause drought or more hurricanes, report finds
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.