The adoption of the European Climate Law in 2021 legally committed the European Union to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, the current process for assessing progress towards this goal often remains superficial, limiting the ability to effectively adjust public policies. A reliable and independent assessment is essential not only for the credibility of the EU, but also for the pace and effectiveness of the European economy’s transformation in the coming decades.

The aim of ECNO is to provide independent monitoring of the EU’s progress towards climate neutrality. The observatory delivers data and analyses that help hold policymakers accountable for meeting declared climate targets and identify gaps in the strategies currently being implemented.

The ECNO team has developed a system of indicators monitoring both emissions and the enabling conditions required for the transition (“enablers”). In addition to the cross-sectoral analyses included in its annual flagship reports, ECNO’s activities include assessing National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), identifying gaps in climate-transition data systems, and preparing briefings that explain the specific challenges facing key sectors of the economy.

The project produces annual assessments of the EU’s climate progress alongside specialised sectoral analyses. The resulting tools enable a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of EU climate and energy policies and help identify areas requiring policy adjustment. Through ECNO’s publications, policymakers, businesses, and civil society gain reliable insights into Europe’s progress towards climate neutrality and the systemic barriers that still need to be addressed.

These activities strengthen standards for monitoring public policies in the EU and increase the transparency of the transition process. They support greater accountability and contribute to improving the quality and effectiveness of the implementation of European climate law.

ECNO is an initiative of leading European think tanks working on climate policy, including Ecologic Institute (project lead), NewClimate Institute, Climact, Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE), and the Reform Institute. ECNO’s communication activities are supported by 89up.