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) European Union (27) (2014) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action European Union (27) (2018) Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Union (2020) European Green Deal European Union ( 2019) Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 European Climate Law European Union (2020) Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Union (2023)
GHG reduction target	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) European Union (27) (2014) 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 European Union (27) (2018) Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions Development Strategy European Union (27) (2020) Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Union (2020) European Green Deal European Union ( 2019) Kigali Amendment on HFCs European Union (2018) 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 European Union (2023) Nationally Determined Contribution - NDC European Union (2023)
Coordinating body for climate strategy	Country has not adopted this policy option.
No fossil fuel subsidies	Country has not adopted this policy option.
Support for low-emission and negative emissions RD&D	Biofuels Energy Technology Platform European Union (27) (2006) Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE) - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Buses European Union (27) (2001) Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP): European Union (27) (2007) Marco Polo Programme - Intermodal Freight Transport European Union (27) (2003) NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012) Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) European Union (27) (2007) Technology Platform for Zero Emissions Fossil Fuel Power Plants European Union (27) (2005) The CIVITAS Initiative - Strategy for Clean Urban Transport European Union (27) (2001) Wind Energy Technology Platform European Union (27) (2006) Innovation Fund European Union (27) (2019) A Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate-Neutral European European Union (27) (2020)
Economy-wide energy efficiency target	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) European Union (27) (2014) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action European Union (27) (2018) Clean Energy for All Europeans Package European Union (27) (2019) Fit for 55 package European Union (2021) Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 European Union (2023)
Renewable target for primary energy	2030 framework for climate and energy policies (strategic document) European Union (27) (2014) Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action European Union (27) (2018) Clean Energy for All Europeans Package European Union (27) (2019) Fit for 55 package European Union (2021)

Policy option	Related policies	Change activity	Energy efficiency	Renewables	Other low carbon	Non-energy
Support for highly efficient power plant stock	Directive on Cogeneration European Union (27) (2004) Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012) Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004) Modernisation Fund European Union (27) (2020)
Energy reduction obligation schemes	Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012)
Renewable energy target for electricity sector	Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources European Union (27) (2018) 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 European Union (27) (2015) Clean Energy for All Europeans Package European Union (27) (2019) Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy European Union (2020)
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 European Union (27) (2015) Global Energy efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund European Union (27) (2008) NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012) Modernisation Fund European Union (27) (2020) Directive on Common Rules for the Internal Market for Electricity and Regulation on the Internal Market for Electricity European Union (27) (2019)
Grid infrastructure development and electricity storage	NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012)
Coal and oil phase-out policies	Coal power phase-out plans in member states European Union (2019)
Support scheme for CCS	NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012)
Support for non-renewable low-carbon alternatives	NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012)
Overarching carbon pricing scheme	Post-2020 EU-ETS Reform European Union (27) (2018)
Energy and other taxes	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004)

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 European Union (27) (1996) Circular Economy Action Plan European Union (27) (2020) Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment European Union (2020)
Support for energy efficiency in industrial production	Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) - IPCC Directive European Union (27) (1996) EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) European Union (27) (1995) Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012) Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004)
Energy reporting and audits	EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) European Union (27) (1995) Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012)
Performance and equipment standards	Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) - IPCC Directive European Union (27) (1996) Eco-design (establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)) European Union (27) (2009) Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012) Circular Economy Action Plan European Union (27) (2020) Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment European Union (2020)
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 European Union (27) (2015)
Support scheme for CCS	NER 300 programme European Union (27) (2012)
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 European Union (27) (1999)
Incentives to reduce landfill CH4	Circular Economy Package EU Legislative Proposals on Waste European Union (27) (2016) Directive on landfill of waste European Union (27) (1999) New Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection European Union (27) (2000) Waste Framework Directive European Union (27) (2008)
Incentives to reduce N2O from industrial processes	Gothenburg Protocol European Union (27) (1999)
Incentives to reduce F-gases	Fluorinated greenhouse gases European Union (27) (2014) Regulation of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 European Union (27) (2006) Kigali Amendment on HFCs European Union (2018)
Overarching carbon pricing scheme or emissions limit	Post-2020 EU-ETS Reform European Union (27) (2018)
Energy and other taxes	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004)

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 European Union (27) (2018) Directive on Energy efficiency European Union (27) (2012)
Performance and equipment standards as well as support for highly efficient appliances	Approval of Energy efficiency Requirements for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lighting European Union (27) (2000) EU Energy efficiency Standards European Union (27) (1992) Eco-design (establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)) European Union (27) (2009) Eco-label Standards for Laptop Computers European Union (27) (1999) Energy labelling (on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products) European Union (27) (2010) Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004) New Criteria for Refrigerators and Washing Machines Eco-labels European Union (27) (2000) Updated Energy labelling of Household Appliances (Refrigerators/Freezers) European Union (27) (2003) Regulation setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU European Union (27) (2017) Circular Economy Action Plan European Union (27) (2020)
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) European Union (27) (2004)

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 European Union (27) (2007) Sustainable Urban Transport European Union (27) (2004) Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration European Union (2020)
Energy/emissions performance standards or support for energy efficient light-duty vehicles	Directive on emissions standards for two- and three-wheeled vehicles European Union (27) (2002) Emission performance standards for new passenger cars (Regulation (EC) No. 443/09 European Union (27) (2009) REGULATION (EC) No 692/08 on light duty vehicles standards European Union (27) (2008) 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 European Union (27) (2007) Regulation Setting CO2 Emission Performance Standards for New Passenger Cars and for New Light Commercial Vehicles (Vans) in the EU for the Period After 2020 European Union (27) (2019) Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal European Union (27) (2017) Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 510 European Union (27) (2011)
Energy/emissions performance standards or support for energy efficient heavy-duty vehicles	Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal European Union (27) (2017) Regulation reducing CO2 Emissions from Heavy-duty Vehicles European Union (27) (2019)
Support scheme for biofuels	Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources European Union (27) (2018) 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 European Union (27) (2015)
Support for modal share switch	Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure European Union (27) (2014) Short Sea Shipping European Union (27) (2001) Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles European Union (27) (2007) Trans-European Transport Network European Union (27) (2001) Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration European Union (2020)
Support for low-emissions land transportation	Regulation Setting CO2 Emission Performance Standards for New Passenger Cars and for New Light Commercial Vehicles (Vans) in the EU for the Period After 2020 European Union (27) (2019) Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles European Union (2019) Regulation 2021/0197 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 on CO2 emission performance standards European Union (2021)
Tax on fuel and/or emissions	Energy taxation (restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity) European Union (27) (2004) Vehicles Fuel Efficiency Standards EU proposal European Union (27) (2017)

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 European Union (27) (2013) Farm to fork strategy European Union (2019) Methane Strategy European Union (2020)
Incentives to reduce CO2 emissions from agriculture	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 European Union (27) (2013) 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 European Union (27) (2018)
Incentives to reduce CH4 emissions from agriculture	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 European Union (27) (2013) 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 European Union (27) (2018)
Incentives to reduce N2O emissions from agriculture	Directive concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources European Union (27) (1991) Nitrates Directive European Union (27) (1991) 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 European Union (27) (2018)
Incentives to reduce deforestation and enhance afforestation and reforestation	Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020 European Union (27) (2013) EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade European Union (27) (2003) European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) European Union (27) (2000) Forest Strategy European Union (27) (2013) Timber Regulation (No 995 European Union (27) (2010) Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 European Union (2020) 3 Billion Trees Pledge (map tree counter) European Union (2021)
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 European Union (27) (2015)

Policy name	Sector	Policy type	Decision date
Industrial Carbon Management Strategy European Union (2024)	Industry	Energy efficiency Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Non-energy use Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch Renewables	2024
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 European Union (2023)	General	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Renewables Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch Non-energy use	2023
Critical Raw Materials Act European Union (2023)	Industry	Energy efficiency Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Non-energy use Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch Renewables	2023
Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 European Union (2023)	General	Energy efficiency	2023
Regulation (EU) 2023/955 establishing a Social Climate Fund European Union (2023)	General	Energy efficiency Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency Non-energy use Other low-carbon technologies and fuel switch Renewables	2023
Regulation (EU) 2023/957 providing for the inclusion of maritime transport activities in the EU Emissions Trading System European Union (2023)	Transport	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency	2023
Regulation (EU) 2023/956 establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism European Union (2023)	General	Energy service demand reduction and resource efficiency	2023

141

108

101

113

118

Policy coverage:

Policy matrix and sectoral coverage

List of climate policies in European Union

European Union policies

Distribution across mitigation areas