This paper analyzes some of the potential synergies among energy, transport, and climate action in the European Union, using Sustainable Development Goals SDG-7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG-9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG-13 (climate action) as analytical frameworks for assessing the coherence and progress of the green transition. Eurostat data from 2015 to 2024 are used to analyze trends in primary energy production, gross inland consumption, energy intensity of GDP, vehicle fleet composition, road freight transport, net greenhouse gas emissions, and private investment in climate change mitigation.
The results indicate a gradual and inconsistent energy transition among Member States, characterized by declining primary energy production and stable gross inland consumption, along with reduced energy intensity, suggesting partial decoupling of economic growth from energy use. Trend changes such as energy security challenges, especially for economies with high import dependence, highlight tensions among efficiency, competitiveness, and energy autonomy. In the transport sector, a dual transition is evident, with internal-combustion-engine vehicles continuing to dominate the fleet, reflecting structural inertia that slows decarbonization. Since 2019, electric vehicle adoption has grown rapidly, demonstrating the impact of public policies, financial incentives, and technological advances. The effectiveness of electric mobility in reducing emissions depends on the energy mix and the infrastructure's capacity to support large-scale electrification.
Road freight transport is critical for achieving SDG 13, as increasing transport volumes drive higher fossil fuel consumption and emissions, and the ongoing trend reveals the current limitations of modal shift and freight electrification, emphasizing the need for integrated policies that modernize infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and diversify energy sources. Analysis of net greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 to 2024 shows a temporary reduction in 2020, followed by a moderate rebound, with most countries not returning to pre-pandemic levels. Private investment in climate change mitigation remains focused on the energy and transport sectors, confirming their interdependence in the decarbonization process.
The energy and climate transition within the European Union represents a complex process with substantial implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 9, and 13, and attaining these objectives requires a systemic approach that integrates energy, industrial, and transport policies to ensure long-term compatibility among economic growth, energy security, and climate neutrality.
