Biodiversity decline across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems

The State of Europe’s environment is ‘not good’ and is facing continued degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss, despite ‘significant progress’ in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Impacts of accelerating climate change are an ‘urgent challenge’, and the outlook for most environmental trends is ‘concerning’, posing major risks to Europe’s economic prosperity, security and quality of life.

These and other findinds are presented in Europe’s environment 2025 report, published by the European Environment Agency. The report is a comprehensive analysis of data gathered across 38 members on the current state and outlook on environment, climate and sustainability.

‘Europe is the fastest-warming continent of the planet….threatening security, public health, ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy,’ the report stresses.

Increasing frequency and magnitude of climate-relate disasters, as well knowing that climate change will continue despite the EU’s mitigation efforts, ‘underscore the urgent need’ for adaptation.

“We cannot afford to lower our climate, environment and sustainability ambitions,” remarked Leena Ylä-Mononen, EEA executive director. The report “clearly sets out the science-based knowledge, and demonstrates why we need to act.

“We have the policies, tools, knowledge and decades of experience in working together towards sustainability goals.  What we do today will shape our future.”

Shaping the future

The EEA highlights that the EU is a ‘world leader’ in climate efforts, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use, along with doubling renewables since 2005.

Progress is also noted in improved air quality, waste recycling and resource efficiency, along with factors that enable a shift towards sustainability across innovation, green employment and sustainable finance, giving a cause for hope, the agency adds.

But it warns that biodiversity is declining across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems due to ‘persistent pressures driven by unsustainable production and consumption patterns,’ demonstrated most notably in the food system.

Water stress affects one third of Europe’s population and territory, putting resources under severe pressure.

‘Maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, protecting watersheds and ensuring that groundwater resources are replenished is crucial to ensuring Europe’s future water resilience’.

EU policies, including the Green Deal provide a clear pathway towards sustainability, believes the EEA.

Decarbonising the economy, shifting towards circularity, reducing pollution and exercising responsible stewardship of natural reports, ‘is urgently required’.