European Union

General

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Electricity and heat

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Industry

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Buildings

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Land transport

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Agriculture and forestry

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

The matrix below provides an overview of what constitutes comprehensive climate policy coverage (details are provided here). The options were identified based on policies that are generally agreed to contribute to emissions reductions (IPCC, 2014), represent sector-level example policies, which have been successful in specific contexts (UNFCCC, 2018; UNEP, 2019), or are expected to result in sufficient sectoral transformation to achieve emissions reductions (Mitchell et al., 2011; GEA, 2012; OECD/IEA and IRENA, 2017; IEA, 2018, 2019). For a complete list of climate policies in this country, see the table at the bottom of the page.

Legend:

At least one policy in force

No policy in force

Not applicable

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Climate strategy	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Green Deal Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 European Climate Law Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC Directive (EU) 2024/1788 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen
GHG reduction target	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) Regulation on inclusion of LULUCF in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions Development Strategy Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Green Deal Kigali Amendment on HFCs Directive (EU) 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC Industrial Carbon Management Strategy Effort Sharing Decision (annual GHG targets for non-ETS sectors in the period 2021-2030) Directive (EU) 2024/1760 Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
Coordinating body for climate strategy	Directive (EU) 2024/1788 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen
No fossil fuel subsidies	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Support for low-emission and negative emissions RD&D	Biofuels Energy Technology Platform Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE) - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Buses Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP): Marco Polo Programme - Intermodal Freight Transport NER 300 programme Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) Technology Platform for Zero Emissions Fossil Fuel Power Plants The CIVITAS Initiative - Strategy for Clean Urban Transport Wind Energy Technology Platform Innovation Fund A Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate-Neutral Europe Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)
Economy-wide energy efficiency target	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Clean Energy for All Europeans Package Fit for 55 package Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791
Renewable target for primary energy	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Clean Energy for All Europeans Package Fit for 55 package

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Support for highly efficient power plant stock	Directive on Cogeneration Directive on Energy efficiency Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) Modernisation Fund
Energy reduction obligation schemes	Directive on Energy efficiency
Renewable energy target for electricity sector	Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources Directive amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources Clean Energy for All Europeans Package Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy
Support scheme for renewables	Directive amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources Global Energy efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund NER 300 programme Modernisation Fund Directive on Common Rules for the Internal Market for Electricity and Regulation on the Internal Market for Electricity
Grid infrastructure development and electricity storage	NER 300 programme
Coal and oil phase-out policies	Coal power phase-out plans in member states
Support scheme for CCS	NER 300 programme
Support for non-renewable low-carbon alternatives	NER 300 programme
Overarching carbon pricing scheme	Post-2020 EU-ETS Reform
Energy and other taxes	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity)

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Strategy for material efficiency	Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) - IPCC Directive Circular Economy Action Plan Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment
Support for energy efficiency in industrial production	Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) - IPCC Directive EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Directive on Energy efficiency Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity)
Energy reporting and audits	EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Directive on Energy efficiency
Performance and equipment standards	Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) - IPCC Directive Eco-design (establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)) Directive on Energy efficiency Circular Economy Action Plan Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment
Support scheme for renewables	Directive amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
Support scheme for CCS	NER 300 programme
Support scheme for fuel switch	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Carbon dioxide removal technology development	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Incentives to reduce CH4 from fuel exploration and production	Gothenburg Protocol EU Methane Regulation (EU) 2024/1787
Incentives to reduce landfill CH4	Circular Economy Package EU Legislative Proposals on Waste Directive on landfill of waste New Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection Waste Framework Directive
Incentives to reduce N2O from industrial processes	Gothenburg Protocol
Incentives to reduce F-gases	Regulation of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 Kigali Amendment on HFCs F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573
Overarching carbon pricing scheme or emissions limit	Post-2020 EU-ETS Reform
Energy and other taxes	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity)

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Urban planning strategies	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Building codes and standards as well as support for highly efficient construction	Directive amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency Directive on Energy efficiency Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275)
Performance and equipment standards as well as support for highly efficient appliances	Approval of Energy efficiency Requirements for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lighting EU Energy efficiency Standards Eco-design (establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)) Eco-label Standards for Laptop Computers Energy labelling (on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products) Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) New Criteria for Refrigerators and Washing Machines Eco-labels Updated Energy labelling of Household Appliances (Refrigerators/Freezers) Regulation setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU Circular Economy Action Plan
Support scheme for heating and cooling	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Support scheme for hot water and cooking	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Energy and other taxes	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity)

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Urban planning and infrastructure investment	Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles Sustainable Urban Transport Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration
Energy/emissions performance standards or support for energy efficient light-duty vehicles	Directive on emissions standards for two- and three-wheeled vehicles Emission performance standards for new passenger cars (Regulation (EC) No. 443/09 REGULATION (EC) No 692/08 on light duty vehicles standards Regulation on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 510 Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)
Energy/emissions performance standards or support for energy efficient heavy-duty vehicles	Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal Regulation reducing CO2 Emissions from Heavy-duty Vehicles Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)
Support scheme for biofuels	Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources Directive amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
Support for modal share switch	Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure Short Sea Shipping Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles Trans-European Transport Network Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration
Support for low-emissions land transportation	Regulation 2021/0197 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 on CO2 emission performance standards
Tax on fuel and/or emissions	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Standards and support for sustainable agricultural practices and use of agricultural products	Regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy Farm to fork strategy Methane Strategy
Incentives to reduce CO2 emissions from agriculture	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 Regulation on inclusion of LULUCF in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU
Incentives to reduce CH4 emissions from agriculture	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 Regulation on inclusion of LULUCF in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU
Incentives to reduce N2O emissions from agriculture	Directive concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources Nitrates Directive Regulation on inclusion of LULUCF in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU
Incentives to reduce deforestation and enhance afforestation and reforestation	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) Forest Strategy Timber Regulation (No 995 Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 3 Billion Trees Pledge (map tree counter) Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869
Sustainability standards for biomass use	Directive amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on Ecodesign requirements for sustainable products

Policy name	Sector	Policy type	Decision date
Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)	Industry	Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch	2024
EU Methane Regulation (EU) 2024/1787	Industry Fossil fuel exploration and production	Non-energy use	2024
Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 on reporting of environmental data from industrial installations, establishing an Industrial Emissions Portal	Industry	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency	2024
Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EU Directive 2024/825)	Industry	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency	2024
Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 on heavy-duty vehicle emission standard	Transport Heavy-duty vehicles	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch	2024
Industrial Carbon Management Strategy	Industry	Energy efficiency Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Non-energy use Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch Renewables	2024
Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)	Transport Heavy-duty vehicles Light-duty vehicles	Energy efficiency Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch	2024

146

113

107

121

125

Policy coverage:

Policy matrix and sectoral coverage

List of climate policies in European Union

European Union policies

Distribution across mitigation areas