The 2024 EU-wide progress report, the second of its kind by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), came at a political juncture, being published shortly after the 2024 EU elections. While the composition of the EU's legislative body undoubtedly changed, we expected that most representatives in the European Parliament will still agree on the necessity of the transition as envisioned in the Green Deal – not just for the sake of emission reductions, but also to guarantee Europe’s international competitiveness and its political autonomy. 

With our second progress report, we did not only provide an update of progress towards EU climate neutrality based on new data but highlighted crucial areas of action for incoming EU policy-makers. ECNO's analysis showed that the EU moves in the right direction, but that the pace of progress is still too slow in several areas. Yet, the Fit for 55 package under the European Green Deal has boosted policies that addressed some of the crucial bottlenecks visible in past data. ECNO's assessment served as direct input to the next COM and EP work programme, in support of achieving the EU's agreed targets.

At our launch event in Brussels, we presented our newest findings and engaged with relevant high-profile stakeholders from the European Parliament and the economy. We hosted two thematic panels on topics that move the EU at the moment: industrial transformation and just transition for the people of the EU.