The EU has set itself the goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. To achieve this goal, we need to save energy, drastically increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, use energy more efficiently and increase carbon sinks.
- 03 April 2024
Changing our energy systems is essential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. In 2022, 70% of the total gross available energy in the EU came from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). Nuclear energy accounted for 11% and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydropower, as well as biomass and biofuels, provided 18% of the gross available energy. These numbers illustrate the scale of the challenge ahead of us.
For the 2021-27 period, cohesion policy funding is delivering more that EUR 118 billion investment in climate action, including in renewables. This represents a significant contribution to EU climate goals in line with the European Green Deal, to secure a sustainable path towards a climate neutral Europe.
In this new data story you can learn more about the EU's cohesion policy climate change actions, the untapped potential for renewable energy of your or other regions, and how rural regions can boost energy production.
Less developed regions hold the key for Europe’s energy transition
This data story is extracted from the 9th Cohesion Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion in the European Union, (2024).
Find out more about the Cohesion Report.