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 indicators in this section measure the performance of the single market in selected areas relevant to this transition.
In recent years, the EU has made some progress on the green transition. To achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal, major efforts are required in some Member States that lag behind the EU average performance.
Regarding circular economy and resource use, the rate of use of secondary raw materials in the EU economy increased by 11% between 2017 and 2020. However, this accounts for only 12.8% of overall material use, indicating that the linear model still prevails. The European Commission aims to double the circular material use rate by 2030. At the same time the EU municipal waste recycling rate increased to almost 48% in 2020, against the EU targets of reaching 55% by 2025, 60 % by 2030 and 65 % by 2035.
On the climate-neutrality and zero-pollution objectives, the greenhouse gas emission intensity of the economy (i.e. the ratio between emissions and added value) fell by 17% compared to 2017, showing progress on decarbonising the economy. Furthermore, the intensity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in manufacturing decreased from 0.11 to 0.07 grams/€ in 2019, thanks to efforts to apply best available techniques.
The index of eco-innovation, which can boost green industrialization, has improved in almost all Member States since 2017. Leaders in eco-innovation are Luxembourg, Finland and Austria.
In June 2022, almost 4 000 organisations and 12 300 sites were participating in the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Italy, Germany and Spain are the Member States with the highest numbers. "Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities" ranks first among leading sectors.
By September 2022, more than 87 000 EU Ecolabel products (goods and services) had been placed on the EU market. This is an increase of 13% compared to 2019 (77 358) - despite the COVID-19 crisis. The increase concerns most product groups. This demonstrates a high interest in more eco-friendly products in the marketplace.
In 2021, 90-95% of businesses across all sizes declared that they were taking measures to increase energy efficiency, while between 31 and 38% of SMEs and 46% of large enterprises declared that they were offering green products or services. More than 40% of big companies declared that they were selling own residues and waste to another company, applying industrial symbiosis.
Performance indicators
Circular material use rate
This indicator measures the degree of circularity of the economy by looking at the rate of use of secondary materials. A higher rate indicates a higher degree of circularity. On the right axis, the chart also shows o the percentage change since 2017.
Source: Eurostat
Eco-innovation index
“Eco-innovation” refers to developing new or significantly improved products (goods and services) or organisational practices while reducing the use of natural resources and decreasing the release of harmful substances throughout the product's life cycle. Eco-innovation is an important driver to boost green industrialisation, and is steadily increasing in the EU. The index takes values between 0 and 100.
On the right axis, the chart also shows the percentage change since 2017.
Air emission intensity: greenhouse gases (GHG)
This indicator measures the intensity of GHG emissions from economic activities. The emissions concern the following gases: carbon dioxide without emissions from biomass (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) in CO2 equivalent, methane (CH4) in CO2 equivalent, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) in CO2 equivalent, perfluorocarbons (PFC) in CO2 equivalent, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in CO2 equivalent and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in CO2 equivalent. Emissions are measured in grams per euro of value added.
Higher values indicate that the economic activities emit a higher amount of GHG per euro of value added.
On the right axis, the chart also shows the percentage change since 2017.
Source: Eurostat
Air emission intensity: PM 2.5
This indicator measures the emissions intensity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the manufacturing sector in 2019.
Emissions are measured in grams per euro of value added.
Higher values indicate that the economic activities emit a higher amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per euro of value added.
Source: Eurostat
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. Municipal waste represents 10% of overall waste and mostly includes household waste.
The amended Waste Framework Directive (Directive EU 2018/851) lays down the following targets for municipal waste recycling (including preparation for re-use) taking into account a new output-based calculation method: 55% by 2025, 60 % by 2030, and 65 % by 2035.
The chart below shows the share of recycled municipal waste for the EU, for the Member State with the biggest share ("Max of MS") and for the Member States with the smallest share ("Min of MS").
Source: Eurostat
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+).
Higher values suggest a higher degree of sustainability in businesses. However, the indicator is based on declarations by companies and provides no information about their actual environmental performance.
No data are available for large companies for the year 2013.
Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer on SMEs, green markets and resource efficiency, 2021.
The table below provides details by action and company size.
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Q: What actions is your company undertaking to be more resource efficient? |
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|
|
EU27 |
Company size |
||||
|
|
EU27 |
1-9 |
10-49 |
50-249 |
SMEs |
250 or more |
|
Saving water |
46% |
46% |
44% |
47% |
46% |
52% |
|
Saving energy |
61% |
61% |
64% |
70% |
61% |
74% |
|
Using predominantly renewable energy (e.g. including own production through solar panels, etc.) |
19% |
19% |
25% |
32% |
19% |
40% |
|
Saving materials |
57% |
57% |
55% |
61% |
57% |
63% |
|
Switching to greener suppliers of materials |
33% |
33% |
36% |
39% |
33% |
45% |
|
Minimising waste |
64% |
65% |
63% |
70% |
64% |
75% |
|
Selling your residues and waste to another company |
24% |
23% |
34% |
43% |
24% |
46% |
|
Recycling, by reusing material or waste within the company |
47% |
47% |
46% |
51% |
47% |
51% |
|
Designing products that are easier to maintain, repair or reuse |
26% |
26% |
27% |
28% |
26% |
30% |
|
Other |
2% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
|
None |
9% |
9% |
7% |
4% |
9% |
4% |
|
Don't know/No answer |
2% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
2% |
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+).
Higher values suggest a higher degree of stainability in businesses. However, the indicator is based on declarations by companies and provides no information about their actual environmental performance.
No data are available for large companies for the year 2013.
Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer on SMEs, green markets and resource efficiency, 2021
The table below provides details by company size.
|
Q: Does your company offer green products or services? |
||||||
|
|
EU27 |
Company size |
||||
|
|
EU27 |
1-9 |
10-49 |
50-249 |
SMEs |
250 or more |
|
Yes |
32% |
31% |
34% |
38% |
32% |
46% |
|
No, but you are planning to do so in the next 2 years |
11% |
11% |
11% |
11% |
11% |
12% |
|
No and you are not planning to do so |
54% |
54% |
51% |
46% |
54% |
38% |
|
Don't know/No answer |
3% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
|
Total 'No' |
65% |
66% |
62% |
58% |
65% |
50% |
Additional facts and figures
EMAS is a premium management instrument developed by the European 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 to the circular economy. 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 charts shows the number of organisations and sites that participate in EMAS.
EMAS leading sectors, 2022
The chart provides an overview of the leading sectors in terms of number of organisations participating in EMAS-registered.
|
NACE CODE 84 |
Public administration |
|
NACE CODE 35 |
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
|
NACE CODE 20 |
Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products |
|
NACE CODE 85 |
Education |
|
NACE CODE 46 |
Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
|
NACE CODE 25 |
Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment |
|
NACE CODE 43 |
Specialised construction activities |
|
NACE CODE 38 |
Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities |
EU Ecolabel - products per product group, September 2022
The following chart shows the number of EU Ecolabel products awarded by product group.