The clock is ticking: what progress on climate action have we made so far?

The European Union has committed to cutting carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. These goals are now legally binding, which shows that in just a few years since the European Green Deal was first announced in 2019, Europe has made a great leap forward in terms of climate policy.

But how do we make it all a reality? The European Climate Pact was formed to help make this happen, bringing together hundreds of individuals and organisations to act as a driving force on the ground. So, we asked our Climate Pact Ambassadors across Europe about progress in climate action and changes they’ve seen in their local communities – and here’s what they said.

The shift of mindsets

If you thought the most common answer to the question “what has changed in the past few years?” was “more electric cars” or “more solar panels”, you would be wrong! No, it is rather the way people think about climate change. Today, Europeans are a lot more aware of the gravity of the crisis and the need to take action. A 2023 Eurobarometer report confirms this: 77% of EU citizens think climate change is a very serious problem, ranking it between 7 and 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.

In Portugal, 64% of respondents had reported feeling exposed to climate-related risks and threats by July this year, and Climate Pact Ambassador and business consultant Ana Agostinho has noticed mindsets changing:

‘People are finally aware that we are making an impact, and it has led to reusing and recycling more, refusing single-use plastic and choosing greener products, cars and houses. It reflects EU policies and how relevant groups are making the climate crisis understandable and relatable.’

Tassos Kotsiras, a Climate Pact Ambassador from Greece and creative content designer, feels that recent climate disasters that have plagued the country – both wildfires and floods – have forced citizens to wake up to the reality of climate change. It’s a good sign, even if in his view it should have happened much earlier:

‘Greece experienced a significant 10-year economic crisis from 2009 to 2019. Nations in survival mode often don't have the “luxury” of prioritising ecological concerns.’

Today, following record-setting wildfires in recent months, the country’s leaders are looking to use drones and sensors to keep a close eye on temperatures and monitor wildfires in real time.

In Italy, where 83% of citizens are in favour or stricter government measures to tackle climate change, Pact Ambassador and actor Alan Cappelli also believes the powerful floods, violent storms and rising temperatures have fuelled the climate concerns and the perception of an immediate danger in his country. ‘The severe weather events this year made it clear to a broader audience that the change is already here – it's happening now. Now they know what we talked about is real. It’s here in our towns and regions.’

The power of the young generation

It’s all about education and starting early. Sustainability adviser and Head of Impact for AWorld Andrea Grieco has met more than 5,000 students across Italy through his work as a Climate Pact Ambassador and watched as interest in climate change has surged within schools, spurring students to do something about it.

‘This awareness is essential because it brings about real change and helps shift development and production models towards a more sustainable system,’ he told us. ‘Younger generations are more curious and eager to learn and find solutions to address the climate crisis. They want to understand how they can help.’

In Andrea’s workshops, students brainstorm the best ways to bring climate action to their schools and communities. ‘They ask to bring more climate projects into the curriculum. They want to see climate policies implemented on the ground and learn about climate legislation and the European Climate Pact.’

Tassos is also involved in climate education with his award-winning 3D animated series called Save your Planet. ‘This project has been adopted by broadcasters, museums, education ministries, schools, and classrooms, with a primary focus on eco-educating the public, especially the younger generation,’ he explains. Through 20 two-minute episodes, a variety of issues are addressed, from energy saving to the use of Earth’s resources.

In Portugal, ‘the investment in education and communication is making a big difference,’ according to Climate Pact Ambassador Bruno Lisboa Diotallévy. Bruno himself has contributed to many environmental awareness events, competitions, and campaigns promoting local climate actions such as community composting. ‘I believe that the community's environmental education plays a great role in demanding the green transition.’

We’re all part of the solution

The rise in awareness, the commitment of Climate Pact Ambassadors and the enthusiasm of younger generations are all signs of a good start on the way towards a more sustainable future, but there is still so much more to do, and we are running out of time.

While the EU’s climate targets for 2030 and 2050 are ambitious, we all have a part to play in tackling the climate crisis, and the Climate Pact is here to help us get everyone on board. Driven by a strong community of Ambassadors, the Pact offers support to make climate action a reality on the ground, in neighbourhoods, towns, cities and regions all over Europe, sparking change from the ground up to reflect the climate policies and legislation being implemented at European level.

Interested in helping our Ambassadors to spread climate awareness but not sure how? You can find tools to help communicate climate change here.