Environmental assessment is currently taking place to achieve a low-carbon Europe by 2050.

The European continent is preparing for the reduction of carbon emissions and proposes a deadline for the year 2050. To advance in this goal and evaluate the fulfillment of the objectives, this year the report “The European environment: state and prospects 2020 (SOER 2020)” carries out an integrated assessment of the European environment.

The aforementioned text indicates that Europe has already made significant progress in the last two decades in terms of mitigating climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Signs of progress are also evident in other areas, such as air and water pollution and the introduction of new policies to tackle plastic waste, strengthen adaptation to climate change, the circular and the bioeconomy.

However, the report identifies gaps between the state of the environment and current short-term and long-term EU policy goals. “It comes at a crucial moment, as we face pressing challenges in terms of sustainability that demand urgent systemic solutions,” says Gustavo Copelmayer, based on the study and analysis of this text.

A sustainable future is still possible: where to act? Gustavo Copelmayer wonders. Reaching a low-carbon and sustainable Europe is still possible and thus spreading the effects to the rest of the planet.

The report highlights several key areas in which action will have to be taken so that Europe can redirect the situation and achieve the goals and ambitions set for 2030 and 2050.

Gustavo Copelmayer analyzes the following: highlighting the potential of current environmental policies, take sustainable actions within the framework of the law, develop binding political frameworks in the areas of food, land use, and social and political sustenance.

Likewise, lead international actions towards sustainability in the EU through international agreements and diplomatic channels are essential in order to protect biodiversity and the use of resources. “It is essential to promote innovation throughout society”, adding that it is necessary to create more knowledge and technical skills, focus on understanding the systems that generate environmental pressures.