We need new tools to monitor the transition

With the adoption of the EU climate law, achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is a binding obligation for the European Union. To ensure the continent is and remains on track to achieve this goal, a dedicated monitoring and accountability framework is needed – one that captures the urgency, scale, and complexity of the transition, and that can inform course corrections in a timely and accurate manner. Measuring headline targets is not enough.

A one-stop shop for independent, data-driven progress monitoring

The European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) provides comprehensive, regular, reliable, and clear analysis of EU progress towards climate neutrality, and of the functioning of the related governance systems (e.g., the quality of transition plans and strategies). ECNO is a new, trusted voice in the European climate policy discourse that functions as an independent, external monitor for the EU’s climate neutrality target. It is being brought to life by a partnership of scientific institutions, funded by the European Climate Foundation.

Launch and first indicator-based progress report on 26 June 2023 in Brussels

ECNO's first annual flagship report on the EU's progress to net-zero was presented on 26 June 2023 at the official Brussels launch of the initiative. It is based on a vision of a climate neutral future composed of 13 essential sectoral and horizontal net-zero "building blocks". The analysis of progress among over a 100 carefully chosen indicators, which together look at both headline objectives and their enabling conditions, provide an unprecedented, integrated view into where and how the EU economy is advancing on its transformation to climate neutrality, and where attention needs to be most urgently placed.

The Speakers were:

• Video Address by Claude Turmes – Minister for Energy and Spatial Planning, Luxembourg
• Closing remarks by Laurence Tubiana – CEO of the European Climate Foundation
• Panel:
  • Yvon Slingenberg – DG CLIMA
  • Florie Gonsolin – European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic)
  • Robert Jeszke – National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE)
  • Joško Klisović – Committee of the Regions