European Green
Deal Barometer
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solutions for a more
sustainable Europe
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Launched by way of a 2019 communication from the European Commission, the Green Deal covers several environmental objectives, with the ultimate aim to make the EU climate neutral by 2050.
SECOND EDITION
Now in its second edition, the European Green Deal Barometer identifies barriers and opportunities for the implementation of the Green Deal. Picking up on the numerous ongoing negotiations on Green Deal files in the legislative procedure, as well as the impact of the war in Ukraine and the energy price hike, the Barometer paints a picture of the Green Deal as it currently stands.
HIGHLIGHTS
As the current European Commission crosses the halfway point of its mandate, the European Green Deal Barometer shows that sustainability experts are losing confidence in the ability of the EU institutions to implement the Green Deal by 2024 and reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The European Parliament and Council are trying to reach agreement on a multitude of proposals, translating the Green Deal into a concrete set of laws. As time passes, however, sustainability experts think that the progress
made on each of the thematic areas of the Green Deal backtracks on what the science requires.
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Towards a transformative Sustainable Food System Legislative Framework
Green Deal implementation
Scepticism has increased since 2021. Today, almost half of respondents think it’s unlikely that the Green Deal will be implemented by 2024 – up from 30% compared to last year’s survey.
War in Ukraine
Respondents see the war in Ukraine as a major obstacle in the short term – 73% think that the war will have a negative impact on Green Deal implementation over the next year.
2024 EU elections
Respondents show more optimism when it comes to the longer-term future of the Green Deal. 61% think that the EU institutions will support the Green Deal after the 2024 EU elections.
Member States
Like last year, respondents see the lack of commitment by Member States as the biggest obstacle to Green Deal implementation. Sweden is seen as most committed to the Green Deal, defeating 2021 gold medalist Germany. Romania is seen as least committed to
the Green Deal agenda.
Future of food
Only 17% think that the progress made on the transformation of food systems meets what the science requires. This is a major drop from last year, when this figure stood at 49%.
Investing in a green future
As the EU Taxonomy develops, only 34% think that the policy contributes greatly to private sector financing in line with the Green Deal.
Energy transition
When asked where the European
Commission should focus its efforts between now and 2024, 39% reply that a clean energy transition should be the priority.
A social Green Deal
Half of experts believe that the social provisions under the Green Deal (Social Climate Fund, Just Transition Fund, etc.) will significantly facilitate implementation.
PRIORITY AREAS VS.
PROGRESS MADE
PROGRESS MADE
Table combines “How much progress has been made on each of the following thematic areas since the start of the European Green Deal?”and “On which two of the following thematic areas should the European Commission focus its efforts between now and 2024?” questions
2022 FIGURES
45%
think it is unlikely that the Green Deal will be implemented by 2024
35%
think that the lack of commitment by Member States to the Green Deal agenda is the biggest barrier to Green Deal implementation
47%
think it is unlikely that the EU will meet its objective to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030
61%
think that the EU institutions will support the Green Deal to a great extent after the 2024 EU elections
METHODOLOGY
The European Green Deal Barometer is based on a survey of 314 sustainability experts, of which 95% is based in Europe. The responses were collected from April to May 2022. The stakeholder sample is diverse – the majority (37%) come from academia and think tanks, 24% represent the private sector, and 21% come from NGOs or foundations. Respondents from governments, regulatory bodies and multilateral organisations make up the rest of the sample. Almost two-thirds of stakeholders have been working or studying in the area of EU environmental policy, sustainable development, or corporate responsibility for more than five years.
PREVIOUS BAROMETER
European Green Deal Barometer Edition 2021
This report by the Institute for European Environmental Policy and GlobeScan identifies the challenges to the European Green Deal’s implementation and provides policy recommendations for addressing them.
