ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GOALS AND SCOPE OF POLICIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BY 2030

Environmental protection is one of the key focuses of the European Union’s activities, operating at various levels – from policy and legislation to financial investments. The European Green Deal, the EU’s main environmental policy plan, aims for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This involves reducing carbon dioxide emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, investing in green technology, strengthening environmental legislation, and more. The Eighth Environmental Action Program, adopted in alignment with the European Green Deal, provides the framework for EU environmental policy until 2030. It sets the priority goals for environmental protection until 2030 and the conditions necessary for their achievement. At the same time, it forms the basis for the European Union’s contribution to achieving the United Nations Agenda for 2030 and its sustainable development goals. This paper analyzes six priority goals of the Eighth Environmental Action Program and the progress made toward achieving them, monitored through 26 indicators. The research results indicate that the European Union has successfully achieved some goals, but there are goals that require significantly greater efforts and resources to be fully realized.