• Threats to nature and the effects of climate change are top challenges

Significant progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but the overall state of the environment in Europe is not good, especially nature, which continues to deteriorate due to overexploitation and biodiversity loss. The impact of accelerating climate change is also a pressing challenge.

This is noted in the European Environment Agency's (EEA) most comprehensive report on the state of the environment, published today. The projections for most environmental trends are worrying and pose major risks to Europe's economic prosperity, security and quality of life.

The report highlights that climate change and environmental degradation pose a direct threat to Europe's competitiveness, which depends on natural resources. It states that achieving climate neutrality by 2050 depends on better and more responsible management of land, water, and other resources. Protecting natural resources, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and reducing pollution will increase the resilience of vital societal functions that depend on nature, such as food security, drinking water, and flood protection.

The report calls for accelerating the implementation of policies and long-term actions to build resilience already agreed under the European Green Deal. These actions are in line with the European Commission’s priorities set out in its Competitiveness Compass for innovation, decarbonisation and security.

The European Environment Report 2025 is based on data from 38 countries and is the most comprehensive analysis of the current state and outlook for the continent’s environment, climate, and resilience. It highlights that the European Union is a world leader in climate action, having reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use while doubling the share of renewable energy sources since 2005. Good progress has been made in the last 10-15 years in improving air quality and increasing waste recycling and resource efficiency. Progress on a number of enabling factors for the transition to sustainability - such as innovation, green jobs and sustainable finance - also gives reason for hope.

Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera said: "This report is a stark reminder that Europe must stay the course and even step up its ambition on climate and the environment. Recent extreme weather events show how fragile our prosperity and security become when nature deteriorates and the impacts of climate change increase. Delaying or postponing our climate goals will only increase costs, deepen inequalities and weaken our resilience. Protecting nature is not a cost. It is an investment in the competitiveness, sustainability and well-being of our citizens. By stepping up our action now, we can build a cleaner, fairer and more sustainable Europe for future generations."

Commissioner for the Environment, Water Sustainability and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: "While progress has been made, the state of the environment is a clear call to action to continue reducing pollution, restoring nature, and protecting biodiversity. We need to rethink the relationship between the environment and the economy and see nature conservation as an investment, not a cost. Healthy nature is the foundation of a healthy society, a competitive economy and a sustainable world, which is why the EU is committed to delivering on our environmental commitments."

Commissioner for Climate Action, Net Zero Emissions and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, said: "This report confirms the urgent need for the EU to maintain its strong climate ambition. As the fastest warming continent, Europe has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of climate change through the severe forest fires that have recently raged across the country this summer. The cost of inaction is enormous, and climate change poses a direct threat to our competitiveness. Staying on course is essential to protect our economy."

EEA Executive Director Leena Yla-Mononen said: "We cannot afford to lower our ambitions on climate, environment and sustainability. Our State of the Environment report, produced jointly with 38 countries, clearly presents the science and shows why we need to act. In the European Union, we have the policies, the tools, and the knowledge, as well as decades of experience in working together to achieve our sustainability goals. What we do today will shape our future."

Complex challenges ahead

Biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems is declining across Europe due to ongoing pressures from unsustainable production and consumption patterns, most notably in the food system. The state of Europe’s biodiversity and ecosystems is expected to continue to deteriorate in the future, with agreed policy targets unlikely to be met by 2030, the report says.

Similarly, Europe’s water resources are under severe pressure, with water scarcity affecting a third of Europe’s population and territory. Maintaining healthy water ecosystems, protecting watersheds, and taking the necessary action to recharge groundwater resources are crucial to ensuring the future sustainability of Europe’s water resources, the report says.

When it comes to climate change, Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet. The climate is changing at an alarming rate, threatening security, public health, ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy. The increasing frequency and scale of climate-related disasters, and the fact that the climate will continue to change even with the EU’s ambitious mitigation efforts, highlight the urgent need for European society and economy to adapt, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

These overarching challenges require a rethinking of the links between our economy and the natural environment, land, water, and natural resources, says the report. Only by restoring Europe’s natural environment it wil be possible to maintain a competitive economy and a high quality of life for European citizens.

Scaling up in all directions

The report argues that a transformative shift in production and consumption systems is urgently needed – decarbonising the economy, moving towards circularity, reducing pollution and managing natural resources responsibly. EU policies, including the Green Deal, set out a clear path towards sustainability.

Particular attention is paid to efforts to restore habitats through nature-based solutions that enhance resilience and support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. The need to decarbonise key economic sectors, especially transport, and to reduce emissions from agriculture is also highlighted. Increasing circularity has the potential to reduce Europe's dependence on imports of energy and critical raw materials. Furthermore, by investing in the digital and green transition of European industry, Europe can increase its productivity and become a world leader in eco-innovation, developing technologies to decarbonise industries, where this is particularly challenging, such as steel and cement.

The EEA publishes a State of the Environment report every five years, as required by its founding regulation. ‘Europe’s Environment 2025’ is the seventh such report published by the EEA since 1995. It offers solid, scientifically sound advice on how we should respond to the huge and complex challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and air and water pollution.

The report has been produced in close cooperation with the EEA’s European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet). It draws on the extensive expertise of leading environmental experts and scientists participating in Eionet, from the 32 Member States of the European Economic Area and six cooperating countries.

Current

At 12:00 Bulgarian time today, 29 September, the findings of the report will be presented by EEA Executive Director Leena Yla-Mononen at a joint press conference with the European Commission, with the participation of Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera and Commissioner for Environment, Water Sustainability and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall. The press conference will be broadcast live on EBS Live.

On Tuesday, 30 September, at 15:00 Bulgarian time, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the General Secretariat of the Council will host the conference "An EU Environment for Prosperity and Resilience" in Brussels, where EEA Executive Director Leena Yla-Mononen will present the findings of the report. The streaming link will be shared on the event page.