Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2025

Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2025 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful tree graphic in the lower half.

© European Union 2025

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2025

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Publication
Citation

Hijman, Remko et al. (ed.) 2025: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2025 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

Download Publication!

Eurostat's "Sustainable Development in the European Union: Monitoring Report on Progress towards the SDGs in an EU Context" (2025 edition) offers the ninth comprehensive assessment of the EU's journey toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from Ecologic Institute authored the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), providing rigorous, policy-relevant evidence.

Gains in Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture

Under Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), the EU achieved a record 25 % share of renewables in its gross energy consumption for 2023 – up five percentage points over five years.  Despite this progress, even faster growth is needed for the EU to hit its 2030 target of 42.5 % share of renewables. The Zero Hunger (SDG 2) analysis reveals improvements in the sustainability of agricultural production in the EU. The use and risk of chemical pesticides decreased strongly, and organic farming rose to 10.5 % of the EU’s utilised agricultural area in 2022, though growth in organic farming will need to accelerate to hit the EU’s 2030 target of 25 %.

Mixed Signals on Partnerships and Water Resources

In Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) both favourable and unfavourable trends lead to a mixed picture. EU financing to developing countries has increased, but environmental taxes contribute a small and declining share of EU tax revenue, reaching a new low in 2023. For Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), the EU is moving opposite its desired direction. Trends in water quality are mixed, while pressures on fresh-water resources have increased, accompanied by a strong increase over the last decade in the EU area affected by drought. 

Noteworthy Climate, Marine and Land Trends

Climate Action (SDG 13) data shows EU greenhouse-gas emissions have decreased significantly in the EU, with 2023 emissions 36 % lower than they were in 1990. Despite this progress, the pace of decarbonisation must increase to hit the EU’s 2030 target of a 55% reduction. In Life Below Water (SDG 14), increased seawater acidity and marine eutrophication led to declines in ocean health, though positive trends were seen in sustainable fisheries. Life on Land (SDG 15) indicators highlight some improvements in the status of forest and river systems, but biodiversity indicators show declines and a lack of progress. 

By presenting these robust, policy-relevant statistics, Ecologic Institute bridges the gap between data and decision-making – showing not only where Europe has made real strides, but also where urgent action is needed to keep the 2030 Agenda within reach.

Contact

More content from this project

Previous Pause Next
Language
English
Credits

Editor-in-chief
Remko Hijman (Eurostat, Unit E2 – Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development)
Editors
Markus Hametner, Mariia Kostetckaia, Pooja Patki (WU Vienna); Aaron Best, Benedict Bueb, Doris Knoblauch, Nora Sophie Kögel, Ruta Landgrebe, Ulf Stein, Eike Karola Velten (Ecologic Institute); Ariane De Rocchi, Malena Gmür, Anik Kohli, Leroy Ramseier, Myriam Steinemann, Alexandra Zwankhuizen (INFRAS)
Co-editors
Arturo de la Fuente, Hendrik Doll, Kathrin Gebers, Johanna Giczi, Merja Jalava Hietanen, Klara Horakova, Ágnes Lesznyák, Christine Mayer, Friderike Oehler, Åsa Önnerfors (Eurostat, Unit E2 – Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development)

Funding
European Commission, Eurostat (Eurostat), International
Published by
Year
Dimension
352 pp.
ISBN
978-92-68-22574-5 (print)
978-92-68-22573-8 (pdf)
ISSN
2443-8472 (print)
2443-8480 (pdf)
DOI
Project
Project ID
Table of contents
Click to show full table of contents
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, indicator set, trends, 2030 Agenda
Europe
monitoring
PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2025 Overview
 
Cover of the 2025 edition of Eurostat’s “Overview of progress towards the SDGs in an EU context.” The design mirrors the full report cover, featuring a white tree with multicolored leaves, this time on a grey-blue background. The Eurostat and SDG logos appear below the tree.

© European Union 2025

The 2025 overview brochure accompanies Eurostat's ninth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy... Read more

Giczi, Johanna et al. (ed.) 2025: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2024
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.

© European Union 2024

The 2024 publication is Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context.  Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7),... Read more

Gebers, Kathrin et al. (ed.) 2024: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2024 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2024 Overview
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.

© European Union 2024

The 2024 overview brochure accompanies Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean... Read more

Giczi, Johanna et al. (ed.) 2024: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2023
 
Cover of "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context 2023 edition"

© European Union, 2023

The 2023 publication is Eurostat's seventh regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 ... Read more

Petri, Ekkehard, et al. (ed.) 2023: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2023 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2023 Statistical annex
 
Cover of "Sustainable development in the European Union. Statistical annex to the EU voluntary review. 2023 edition"

© European Union, 2023

This statistical annex presents EU-level data for the EU SDG indicators, to accompany the first EU Voluntary Review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It showcases the EU SDG indicators and their development since the SDGs... Read more

Hametner, Markus, et al. (ed.) 2023: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Statistical annex to the EU voluntary review. 2023 edition [eurostat Statistical books 2023 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2022
 
Cover of the publication "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context" 2022 edition

© Publications Office of the European Union

The 2022 publication is Eurostat's sixth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 ... Read more

Blumers, Miriam, et al. (ed.) 2022: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2022 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2022 Overview
 
Overview of EU progress towards the SDGs over the past 5 years, 2022 (Data mainly refer to 2015–2020 or 2016–2021)

© Publications Office of the European Union

The 2022 overview brochure accompanies Eurostat's sixth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy... Read more

Sabadash, Anna et al. (ed.) 2022: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2020
 
This publication is the fourth of Eurostat’s regular reports monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. The analysis in this publication builds on the EU SDG indicator set, developed in cooperation with a large number of stakeholders. The indicator set... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2020: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2020 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2020 Overview
 
This brochure is a 'light' version of Eurostat's publication 'Sustainable development in the European Union – 2020 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context', conveying its main messages in a visual and concise way. The brochure provides an... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2020: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportSustainable Development in the European Union – 2019 Overview
 
This brochure is a 'light' version of Eurostat's publication 'Sustainable development in the European Union – 2019 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context', conveying its main messages in a visual and concise way. The brochure provides an updated... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2019: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2019
 
This publication is the third of Eurostat's regular reports monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an EU context. The analysis in this publication builds on the EU SDG indicator set, developed in cooperation with a large number of... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2019: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2019 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportSustainable Development in the European Union – 2018 Overview
 
(Quelle: Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2018: Sustainable Development in the European Union.)
This brochure is a 'light' version of Eurostat's publication 'Sustainable development in the European Union – 2018 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context', conveying its main messages in a visual and concise way. The brochure provides an updated... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2018: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2018
 
This publication is the second of Eurostat’s regular reports monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an EU context. The analysis in this publication builds on the EU SDG indicator set, developed in cooperation with a large number of... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2018: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2018 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportSustainable Development in the European Union – 2017 Overview
 
(Quelle: Kurkowiak, Barbara et al. (Hg.) 2017: Sustainable Development in the European Union.)
EUROSTAT has issued its 2017 edition on Sustainable Development in the European Union. The report provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning a selected number of indicators related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This 'lite' version of... Read more

Kurkowiak, Barbara et al. (eds.) 2017: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2017
 
EUROSTAT has issued its 2017 edition on Sustainable Development in the European Union. The report provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning a selected number of indicators related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Over the past five... Read more

Kurkowiak, Barbara et al. (eds.) 2017: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on the Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical Books 2017 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2016
 
This publication has been issued by EUROSTAT and provides a snapshot of the current situation concerning a selected number of SDG-related indicators and accompanies the European Commission Communication on the next steps for a sustainable European future (22 November... Read more

Kotzeva, Mariana et al. (ed.) 2016: Sustainable Development in the European Union. A Statistical Glance from the Viewpoint of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. [eurostat Statistical books 2016 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2015
 
The Eurostat monitoring report examines how well the EU and its member states adapt the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. As part of a consortium with the Vienna University of Economics and Business, INFRAS and the Haymarket Media Group, Ecologic Institute played an... Read more

Kurkowiak, Barbara et al. (eds.) 2015: Sustainable development in the European Union. 2015 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy. [eurostat Statistical books 2015 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2013
 
Is there a trend towards more sustainable consumption patterns in the European Union (EU)? Is there a reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions? Is the EU losing its natural capital? Answers to these and other questions are presented in the 2013 Eurostat monitoring... Read more

Popova, Mariana et al. (eds.) 2013: Sustainable development in the European Union. 2013 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy. [eurostat Statistical books 2013 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2011
 
The 2011 Eurostat monitoring report reviews the progress and implementation of the EU sustainable development strategy. The 2011 monitoring report was published on the Eurostat website. As partner in a consortium with the Vienna University of Economic and Business ... Read more

European Commission (ed.) 2011: Sustainable development in the European Union. 2011 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2009
 
What is the state of sustainable development in the European Union? The 2009 Eurostat monitoring report reviews the progress and implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. The 2009 monitoring report was published on the Eurostat website. As a partner in... Read more

European Commission (ed.) 2009: Sustainable development in the European Union. 2009 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

PublicationBookSmarter, Greener, more Inclusive? – 2015
 
2015 edition
On 2 March 2015, Eurostat published its most recent Flagship Publication Smarter, greener, more inclusive?. The report, commissioned by Eurostat, assesses the EU's progress in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. Commissioned by Eurostat, Andreas Prahl, Katharina... Read more

Markus Hametner et al. 2015: Smarter, greener, more inclusive? - Indicators to support the Europe 2020 strategy]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSmarter, Greener, more Inclusive? – 2013
 
On 29 October 2013, Eurostat published its most recent Flagship Publication 'Smarter, greener, more inclusive?'. The report assesses the EU's progress in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. Commissioned by Eurostat, Katharina Umpfenbach and Krista Timeus of Ecologic... Read more

Savova, Iliyana  et al. (eds.) 2013: Smarter, greener, more inclusive? - Indicators to support the Europe 2020 strategy. [Statistical books]. Luxembourg: Publication Office of the European Union.