Greening the European Commission

Reaching climate neutrality by 2030

On 16 December 2025, the College adopted the Greening the Commission Progress Review which shows that the Commission is on track for its 2030 targets.  According to the latest EMAS Environmental Statement for 2024 results, the Commission has reduced its overall carbon footprint by 31% compared to 2019, or 56% since 2005.  Regarding emissions reduction from buildings, commuting, and experts’ travel, the report shows that there is good progress and efforts should be sustained and, when feasible, intensified. Progress is slower on reducing emissions from staff professional travel,  therefore the Commission will continue its efforts beyond 2024 to achieve the –50% target compared to 2019 as soon as possible, and by 2030 at the latest. 

To reach its 2030 climate neutrality goal, the Commission will explore options for compensating residual emissions by 2030, including the feasibility of buying credits from a joint purchase platform and a possible common approach with other EU institutions.  

The Commission will also continue implementing the measures set out in the 2022 greening action plan to reach climate neutrality by 2030. 

Greener buildings, greener ways of working

More efficient, sustainable and climate-resilient buildings contribute to a third of the reduction in the Commission’s carbon footprint towards 2030 by: 

• switching to more energy efficient and greener buildings
• shifting to dynamic collaborative workspaces
• reducing the number/surface of offices and buildings. 

The New European Bauhaus values - sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion - are also guiding our choices. For example, the Commission works in a partnership with the Brussels Region in designing the new European Quarter and new mobility plans. 

Greener and smarter mobility

Work-related travel emissions can be reduced by 50% (2019-2030) by: 

• streamlining staff work-related travel
• prioritising greener modes of transport
• using a mix of virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings with external experts 

Mobility emissions can be reduced by around 45% (2019-2030) by: 

• encouraging staff to use greener means of transport when commuting
• increasing remote working
• organising awareness campaigns and events 

Greening IT infrastructures and assets

IT emissions can be reduced by a third by: 

• accelerating the shift to more energy-efficient, reparable devices
• streamlining IT and decommissioning obsolete systems
• gradually reducing the number of local data rooms
• increasing the use of paperless workflows and digitalisation of archives 

The Commission setting a good example as an institution 

The Commission is determined to champion the implementation of the EU Green Deal with its own actions:  

• greener catering
• becoming more circular with the use of Green Public Procurement principles
• preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity on Commission sites 

Staff setting a good example as EU citizens  

For the Commission to reach climate neutrality by 2030, staff engagement to implement the actions is key.  

This also goes hand in hand with adopting sustainable ways of working and behaviour. The Commission recognises and encourages its staff to be innovative and embrace changes in ways of working with the ambition of setting a good example in implementing new innovative green solutions.

Communicating with external stakeholders  

The Commission considers it essential to use all opportunities. Working with counterparts and thanks to the multitude of stakeholders it regularly meets — including local/ regional /national public administrations /EU Institutions/ International Organisations) — allows to give visibility not only to its actions for a climate neutral institution, but to also learn from other practices and stimulate the global journey towards a sustainable society.