"It states that nature in Europe is facing levels of degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss that pose a direct threat to European stability, security and living standards. The report, which is released every five years by the Copenhagen-based EU agency, is the most comprehensive assessment of the environment, climate and sustainability in the region. Despite progress in areas such as cutting greenhouse gas emissions and ramping up renewable energy, it said the overall state of Europe's environment is "not good"."
"Unsustainable production and consumption patterns driven by the food system are leading to a decline in biodiversity across European land and water. An estimated 80% of protected habitats are in a poor or bad state and 60-70% of soils are degraded. This downwards trend is on track to continue, with the report stating the EU's nature restoration targets for 2030 were unlikely to be met."
"EU officials stressed the report was a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining and strengthening green policies and ambitions. "Delaying or postponing our climate targets would only increase costs, deepen inequalities, and weaken our resilience," said Teresa Ribera, senior EU official in charge of green transition and competition. She added protecting nature was an investment in competitiveness and the well-being of European citizens."
Nature across Europe suffers severe degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss that threaten stability, security and living standards. Progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewables exists, but conditions remain poor. Intense logging, wildfires and drought have reduced the EU carbon sink by 30%. Unsustainable food-system production and consumption drive biodiversity decline; about 80% of protected habitats are in poor or bad condition and 60–70% of soils are degraded. Water stress affects roughly one-third of territory and population; only 37% of surface waters have positive ecological status. EU nature restoration targets for 2030 seem unlikely to be met. Delaying climate targets would increase costs, deepen inequalities and weaken resilience.
Read at www.dw.com
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