In support of the green transition, most member states focused their investments on changes in the energy sector, making mobility more sustainable, and improving the climate-friendliness of buildings. Several member states also implemented projects to secure or restore biodiversity, to develop the circular economy, and to promote research related to renewable energy.

However, only two member states chose to use funding for actions to “green the digital sector”. 

The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a temporary instrument that helps member states receive financing for investments and reforms to make their economies more sustainable, resilient and digitalised from February 2020 until 31 December 2026.

To benefit from this support, member states submitted national recovery and resilience plans, which outline clear milestones and targets for their reforms and investments to be implemented by end of 2026. Member states updated their plans in either 2022 or 2023, with most countries using the opportunity to increase their focus on green projects. There is a requirement that each national RRP must allocate at least 37% to support the green transition.

Cullen International’s benchmark outlines the level of grants and loans that member states received under the RRF, as well as the main projects for which the funding has been used.

According to the last update of the national plans, 20 out of 27 member states increased the percentage of funds they specifically earmarked for sustainable projects. Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg and Malta allocated the highest budget shares to green measures (way above the 37% target). The frontrunners for the highest budget shares for digital measures were Austria and Germany.

However, only the Czech Republic and Germany highlighted in their national plans projects to support the digital transition through actions which “green the digital sector”.

Other key findings are accessible in our full research.

For more information and access to the full research, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Sustainability service.