Sustainable development economy and the development of green economy in the European Union

Abstract

Background This study aims to explain the policies implemented by the European Union in transitioning to a green economy. It examines the period from the adoption of sustainable development within the Union to the present, focusing on the EU's strategies for sustainable development and the green economy. Main text The study reveals that the European Union has long recognized environmental problems and the impacts of climate change, starting from the 1990s. In response to the global crisis in 2008, the EU embraced the opportunity to build a dynamic, low-carbon, resource-efficient, knowledge-based, and socially inclusive society. Green investments were included in the EU's rescue plan, initiating the green transformation. The study explains the concepts of sustainable development, the green economy, and green growth. It discusses how the European Union implemented its green transformation, particularly through the examination of the European Green Deal. Furthermore, it explores the developments related to climate change and the green economy within the framework of the European 2020 strategy. Conclusions The findings highlight the European Union's commitment to addressing environmental challenges and transitioning to a green economy. Future research should focus on assessing the effectiveness of implemented policies and strategies in achieving sustainable development goals. The EU allocated a substantial portion of its budget to support green investments, including green incentives during the 2008 financial crisis, and significant budgets from member states like Germany and France. The EU has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for at least a 40% reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Future research should also explore the social and economic implications of the green transformation, including job creation and industry competitiveness, to provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers. This will contribute to enhancing the EU's green policies and advancing the transition to a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy.

Changes in the Natural Surroundings are a Determinant of the Implementation of the Environmental Management System

“…Various changes visible in everyday life, including climatic, economic, social, technical and technological, significantly affect the natural environment (Bönke et al 2023, Mentes 2023, Moghimi et al 2023. Their influence is visible, among others, in nature (forest, water, soil resources, etc.…”

Achieving Discharge Limits in Single-Stage Domestic Wastewater Treatment by Combining Urban Waste Sources and Phototrophic Mixed Cultures

“…Their versatile metabolism enables them to accumulate PHA, glycogen, pigments, or bacterial protein, making them more market-friendly and aligning with a circular economy. This is a significant stride towards the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 [ 1 ].…”

“…Worldwide, more than 80% of domestic wastewater (DWW) is discharged into rivers or the sea without any treatment to remove pollutants, which is why the United Nations has expressly set the sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all [ 1 ]. At the same time, governments and institutions are focusing on wastewater reuse strategies to recover both water and nutrients.…”

Review of Climate Strategies in Northern Europe: Exposure to Potential Risks and Limitations

“…Although prior research has discussed the effectiveness and future implications of the EU's climate and energy policy [13,[31][32][33][34][35], as well as highlighted several challenges related to biomass availability, renewable energy integration, and resource adequacy in the global transition towards clean energy production [25,[36][37][38][39], few studies have yet reviewed the updated climate and energy policy of EU countries nor assessed potential risks and limitations in their implementation. Thus, this paper aims to identify and assess how exposed the national climate strategies of different countries are to potential technological risks and resource adequacy limitations in northern and central Europe.…”