EU Off Track to Meet 2030 Microplastics Reduction Target
According to the Zero Pollution Outlook 2025, the EU is off track to meet its target of reducing microplastic emissions by 30% by 2030. Instead of declining, emissions actually rose by around 7–9% between 2016 and 2022, with no evidence of reductions. Even with upcoming measures such as the Pellet Regulation and the REACH restriction on intentionally added microplastics, only about a 7% cut by 2030 is expected—far below the target. The report calls for stronger regulations, better monitoring, and harmonised data collection to close this gap.