Imagining a Sustainable Europe in 2050: Key Insights for Energy, Mobility, Food and Cities

How might Europe look in 2050 if we meet our environmental goals? The European Environment Agency’s report Imagining a Sustainable Europe in 2050 explores this question through four compelling “imaginaries” — distinct visions of a sustainable future. It looks at what transformations are needed in food, mobility, energy, and the built environment to meet Europe’s vision of "living well, within environmental limits."

📘 Key Takeaways:

• Four imagined futures (e.g. Technocracy, Ecotopia) help test policies and identify vulnerabilities.
• Interlinked systems: interventions in one domain (e.g. mobility) affect others (e.g. energy or housing).
• Highlights transformative opportunities like decentralised renewable energy, circular buildings, local food production, and decarbonised mobility.
• Underlines the need for resilience and systemic thinking, especially in times of disruption.

🌍 With global disruptions such as climate extremes and digital breakdowns, the report also outlines capacities that Europe must develop — from anticipatory governance and AI resilience to community-level self-sufficiency.