The study reveals that the European Union’s goal to decarbonize by 2040 will only require half of the land currently considered suitable for renewable energy, excluding protected natural areas and high-value agricultural land.
This shift will help the EU phase out fossil fuels and nuclear energy, aiming for climate neutrality by 2040.
The EEB report details how Europe can achieve 100 percent renewable energy in a sustainable way, using just 2.2 percent of its total land area for present and future solar and wind power installations
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre supports these findings, indicating that 5.2 percent of EU land meets the strict agricultural, environmental, and technical criteria for solar and wind energy development. Most of this land is in rural areas, with 78 percent suitable for ground-mounted solar panels and 83 percent for onshore wind farms.
The study highlights Europe’s significant potential to transition to renewable energy, showcasing the abundant opportunities for sustainable development across the continent.
