No European country is doing what is necessary to meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. And the majority are still far from fulfilling their commitments on climate change. This damning verdict comes from a report by the Climate Action Network, published with the support of the European Commission and the Kann Rasmussen foundation.

Only five nations receive a "fair" or "good" rating

The analysis assessed what concrete measures have been implemented by each European Union member state in order to narrow the existing gap between current greenhouse gas emission levels and what would instead be required to align with the Agreement. That is, to ensure that the Old Continent plays its part in the global effort aimed at limiting the rise in average global temperature, between now and 2100, to a maximum of 2 degrees centigrade (getting as close as possible to 1.5), relative to pre-industrial levels.

In the rankings drawn up by the non-governmental organisation, first place is empty. Despite the EU having repeatedly declared its support for the deal reached in 2015 at the close of COP 21 in Paris, words have not been followed by deeds. All the more so given that only one nation received a "good" rating in the report: that is Sweden, followed by Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, which received a "fair" assessment.

Poland, a champion of coal, is the worst performer

All the others have done less than half of what was necessary. The range runs from 49 per cent for Denmark (seventh) to last place, occupied by Poland. It is precisely Poland that will host COP 24 in Katowice in December. An event that environmentalists are preparing to contest on "away ground": the Warsaw government is a fervent supporter of coal, despite it being one of the most harmful fuels for the environment and climate. Very low scores were also recorded by Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, Estonia and Ireland.

It comes as no surprise, on the other hand, that among the best performers are the very nations that gathered in Paris at the end of April to call on Europe for stronger climate commitments. And in particular to set at 32 per cent the share that renewable energy must represent in the EU's energy mix by 2030 (the previous target indicated 27 per cent). Nevertheless, according to the Climate Action Network, "it is clear that much more will need to be done to reduce emissions and promote clean sources and energy efficiency".

Italy in twelfth place, among those still doing too little for the Paris Agreement

The NGO cites as an example the case of France, which despite receiving a "fair" rating will probably not keep its promise of reaching 23 per cent renewables by 2020. This is due to "investment in the sector being too low". But also because of the U-turn on nuclear power: both former president François Hollande and current president Emmanuel Macron https://www.lifegate.it/persone/news/emmanuel-macron-biografia had promised to reduce the share of nuclear energy to 50 per cent by 2025. But in 2017 the then minister for Ecological Transition Nicolas Hulot had announced that the target would not be met. And recently prime minister Edouard Philippe stated that an attempt would be made to reach it only by 2035.

Italy, in twelfth place, belongs to the group of countries that do not exceed 50 per cent of the necessary efforts. In the company of sixteen other nations including Great Britain, Finland, Belgium and Germany. According to the NGO, economies as wealthy as these could afford far greater commitments: "The lack of will shown is a huge disappointment. Governments must act urgently to improve their targets," commented Wendel Trio, director of the Climate Action Network in Europe.