The European Environment Agency’s report on progress towards the objectives of the 8th Environment Action Programme (8th EAP) 2025 assesses, based on 28 key indicators and their targets, how the European Union is advancing in its environmental priorities to 2030. This annual exercise places the 8th EAP policies within the context of the European Green Deal agenda and its ambition to achieve a sustainable economy and live within the limits of the planet.

Although there are signs of progress in some areas, such as waste management and a certain decoupling between economic growth and material consumption, the report notes that the EU’s total resource consumption continues to exceed what is considered a 'safe operating space' for the planet, and no substantial reduction in the consumption footprint is expected this decade without additional efforts. In this context, buildings stand out as they account for a significant share of final energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to energy used for heating, cooling, and electricity, as well as the materials used in their construction. Although gradual improvements in energy efficiency and an increase in the renovation of the building stock are observed, the current pace is insufficient to meet medium-term climate and emissions-reduction targets.

Existing legislation has helped improve waste prevention and reuse, but current results indicate that achieving the 2030 goals will require more ambitious and coordinated action, especially to drive a real transition towards a circular economy, mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and reduce pollution.