How EU enlargement and the European Green Deal can work hand in hand

The European Green Deal (EGD) — the EU’s roadmap to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 — is not only reshaping policies within the Union but also influencing its future members.

Milieu is proud to have authored a new report for the European Committee of the Regions exploring how selected enlargement countries* can align their policies and governance frameworks with the EGD. The study highlights the opportunities and challenges of advancing the Green Deal across an enlarged Europe, emphasising that the green transition must be inclusive and regionally driven.

The report examines:

• How EGD principles are being integrated into key policy areas in enlargement countries*

• The financial mechanisms required to support their transition efforts

• The crucial role of local and regional authorities in delivering tangible change on the ground

Findings show that local and regional actors are essential partners for ensuring the Green Deal becomes a shared and practical project across all European territories.

Read the full report: European Committee of the Regions publication

For simplicity, this study refers to the 10 countries as ‘enlargement countries’, regardless of the legal status of, or accession negotiations.