General report on the activities of the European Union

The European Commission has published the General Report on the Activities of the European Union in 2024. The prepared document discusses, among other things, the activities carried out on the challenges of climate change, the pursuit of carbon neutrality or summarizes the most important activities related to the water theme.

Challenges of climate change

The year 2024 was a record year for global temperatures, with Europe once again grappling with the realities of a rapidly changing climate. Member states and regions of the Union experienced a number of extreme climatic events – from persistent droughts in southern Europe and severe forest fires in Portugal and the Mediterranean, to deadly floods in Central and Eastern Europe and Spain, in which a total of more than 250 people lost their lives, as we have repeatedly written about in 2024, including in the article: Dramatic floods in Spain – causes, effects and those responsible for the disaster.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has seen a significant increase in the number of responses to extreme weather events. These trends are indicative of the increasing impact of climate change on the continent, creating an increased need for coordinated disaster response. As the effects of climate change intensify, European countries have stepped up cooperation and demonstrated solidarity in times of crisis. In 2024, the EU has taken further steps to strengthen the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to better prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters across the EU and beyond.

The annual report on the state of the climate in Europe reveals a very worrying trend of rising temperatures, which makes warming here twice as fast as the global average, and stresses that the EU must become climate neutral and resilient.

What measures in pursuit of carbon neutrality are included in the General Report on Activities of the European Union?

To take the next step toward achieving climate neutrality, the European Commission in 2024 presented an assessment of the EU’s 2040 climate target. It recommends a 90 percent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, which is in line with current scientific advice and the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. For more on this topic, see the article: What will the EU’s 2040 climate target be?

The Carbon Neutral Industry Act came into force in June 2024. It creates a regulatory framework to increase the competitiveness of industries and technologies that will help the EU meet its climate goals. It puts the Union on the right track to develop clean-technology manufacturing.

In November 2024, a regulation was adopted establishing the first EU voluntary framework for certification of carbon dioxide removal, carbon-intensive techniques and_CO2 storage in products across Europe. This will facilitate investment in both innovative technologies and sustainable carbon farming solutions.

What activities related to water topics and undertaken in 2024 are indicated in the report?

Several new measures have been adopted in 2024 to ensure high quality drinking water for everyone in the Union. New standards and procedures for materials and products in contact with drinking water aim to prevent the growth of microorganisms and reduce the risk of leaching of harmful substances. A new method for measuring plastic microbeads has also been adopted, and technical guidelines for monitoring long-lasting chemicals have been developed.

Municipal wastewater, if not collected and treated in accordance with EU legislation, is one of the main sources of water pollution. An agreement has been reached on new legislation to further reduce pollution from urban sources and tackle new pollutants, including plastic microplastics and micropollutants. In accordance with the polluter-pays principle, extended producer responsibility has been introduced. This means that polluters must pay the cost of treatment to remove micropollutants. New guidelines have been issued for relevant authorities in member states to ensure the safe reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture.

The EU’s annual report on the state of beaches and bathing beaches showed that bathing water in Europe remains safe, with more than 85 percent meeting the standard for excellent water quality, see a previous article for more information: Are Europe’s bathing waters safe?

The Union has adopted four new pieces of legislation that will give it the tools to support the drive for clean and modern shipping. The laws are also intended to help prevent illegal pollution discharges and protect marine ecosystems.