Green transition and the Single Market – why does it matter?
The Single Market framework sets very ambitious goals in terms of the EU's green transition. The long-term competitiveness strategy identifies circularity as an enabler for resilient competitiveness. The indicators in this section measure the Single Market’s performance in selected areas relevant to the green transition.
In recent years, the EU has made some progress in the green transition. However, to achieve the European Green Deal’s objectives, in particular on climate neutrality, the circular economy, zero pollution and protecting biodiversity, major efforts are required in some Member States that lag behind the EU average performance.
Circular material use rate
This indicator measures the degree of the economy's circularity by looking at the rate of use of secondary materials. Secondary raw materials, replacing primary materials in the economy, reduce pressure on resources and limit waste. A higher rate indicates a higher degree of circularity.
Resource productivity
Resource productivity is expressed as the economic output generated (GDP at constant prices) per unit of materials consumed. This consumption is measured in terms of domestic material consumption, which is the weight of materials (in kilograms) extracted or harvested in the country, plus imports minus exports. The higher the value in this chart, the greater the resource productivity.
Source: Eurostat, OECD
Recycling of municipal waste
This indicator measures the share of recycled municipal waste in total municipal waste. Recycling includes material recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion. The amended Waste Framework Directive (Directive EU 2018/851) lays down the following targets for municipal waste recycling (including preparation for reuse) using a new output-based calculation method: 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 65% by 2035.
The chart shows the share of recycled municipal waste for the EU overall, the EU country with the biggest share (“Max of MS”) and the EU country with the smallest share (“Min of MS”).
Source: Eurostat cei_wm011
Eco-innovation index
“Eco-innovation” is any innovation that contributes to sustainable development by reducing environmental impacts, increasing resilience to environmental pressures and using natural resources more efficiently and responsibly. The index ranges from 0 to 100. On the right axis, the chart also shows the percentage change since 2020.
Air emission intensity: greenhouse gases (GHG)
This indicator measures the intensity of GHG emissions from economic activities. The emissions include the following gases: i) carbon dioxide without emissions from biomass (CO₂); ii) nitrous oxide (N₂O) in CO₂ equivalent; iii) methane (CH₄) in CO₂ equivalent; iv) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) in CO₂ equivalent; v) perfluorocarbons (PFC) in CO₂ equivalent; vi) sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) in CO₂ equivalent; and vii) nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) in CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions are measured in grams per euro of value added. Higher values indicate that economic activities emit a higher amount of GHG per euro of value added. On the right axis, the chart also shows the percentage change between 2021 and 2022.
Source: Eurostat
Air emission intensity: fine particulate matter (PM 2.5)
This indicator measures the emissions intensity of PM2.5 from the manufacturing sector. Emissions are measured in grams per euro of value added. Higher values indicate that economic activities emit a higher amount of PM2.5 per euro of value added.
Source: Eurostat
Share of energy from renewable sources
This indicator measures the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption. The revised Renewable Energy Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/2001) sets a binding EU-wide target of 42.5% in 2030.
Source: Eurostat provides the values for the EU, while JRC provides those for the UK, the USA, China and Japan.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have taken resource efficiency measures
This indicator measures the share of SMEs who reported that they were taking at least one resource efficiency action in response to the question “What actions is your company undertaking to be more resource efficient?”. Data are provided by company size (0-9 employees, 10-49, 50-249, 250+).
Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer on SMEs, green markets and resource efficiency, 2024.
SMEs that offer green products or services
This indicator measures the share of SMEs who responded “Yes” to the question “Does your company offer green products or services?”. Data are provided by company size (0-9 employees, 10-49, 50-249, 250+).
Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer on SMEs, green markets and resource efficiency, 2024.
Electrification, clean energy and infrastructure
Electrification
The electrification indicator tracks the share of society’s total energy consumption (gross final energy consumption) that is met by electricity, rather than direct combustion of a fuel, which is still the dominating source of energy running vehicle engines, industrial processes and heating of buildings. Currently, only about one fifth of energy consumption is met by direct electrification.
Source: Eurostat nrg_bal_c
Zero-emission electricity production
The indicator measures the share of zero-emission electricity production (with no direct C02 emissions) in EU countries. It adds together electricity generated from hydropower, nuclear energy, wind, solar and biofuels.
Source: European Commission, DG ENER. ‘Energy data sheets: EU countries’
Deployment of charging infrastructure
The indicator measures the total number of publicly accessible recharging points for electric vehicles in the EU, covering both normal and fast rechargers. It also measures the average power output in kW per recharging point in the EU.
For each year, the indicator corresponds to the status as per 31 December, except for 2024 in which the data cut-off was on 31 of August.
Source: European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO).
Additional facts and figures
The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a premium management instrument developed by the Commission to enable companies and other organisations to evaluate, report on, and improve their environmental performance.
The EU Ecolabel is the official EU voluntary label for environmental excellence, awarded to sustainably designed products that help achieve the EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and environmental objectives (circular economy, biodiversity protection and zero pollution). EU Ecolabel products meet high standards that reduce their environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from raw material extraction, to production, use and disposal.
EMAS organisations and sites
This chart shows the number of organisations and sites that participate in EMAS. By participating in EMAS, more organisations and sites commit to continuously improving their environmental performance, save energy and optimise the use of resources.
Source: EMAS national competent bodies.
EMAS leading sectors
The chart shows the leading sectors in terms of the number of organisations participating in EMAS in 2024.
Source: EMAS national competent bodies.
EU Ecolabel licences and products
The following chart shows the number of EU Ecolabel licenses and products awarded.
Source: EU Ecolabel national competent bodies.