Europe warming at twice global average rate, EEA report finds

ISTANBUL

Europe's economic prosperity, security and quality of life are under serious threat from environmental degradation and climate change, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The "Europe's Environment 2025" report, published every five years and drawing on data from 38 countries, provides a multi-dimensional assessment of the continent's state across environment, climate and sustainability.

Speaking to Anadolu, EEA State of the Environment Reporting project manager Tobias Lung said the report makes clear that Europe's environment is not in good shape.

"Our nature continues to deteriorate, be overexploited and lose biodiversity. The effects of accelerating climate change are being felt across Europe through more frequent forest fires, heatwaves and droughts," he said.

'Europe has only partially met its 2030 targets'

Lung warned that the outlook for oceans and biodiversity is worsening, while progress on chemicals and air quality has been modest.

"Europe has only partially met its 2030 targets. The 2050 'zero pollution' vision is largely off track," he said.

While some climate-related targets show promise for 2030, he cautioned that Europe's ability to meet its 2030 and especially 2050 goals on oceans, biodiversity and chemicals "is uncertain and in many cases unlikely without significantly increased policy, finance and implementation."

Lung also noted that the report stresses the need to reduce pollution, improve soil health, scale up nature-based solutions and integrate biodiversity across all policies.

'Agriculture, water, energy, transport and health most affected'

Lung stressed that Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, with extreme weather events causing devastating impacts across member countries including Türkiye.

Weather and climate-related disasters caused more than 240,000 deaths and 738 billion euros in economic losses between 1980 and 2023, with 162 billion euros recorded in 2021–2023 alone.

"Agriculture, water, energy, the built environment, transport and health are the sectors most adversely affected by climate change. The situation is already serious and is expected to deteriorate dramatically if mitigation and adaptation are not accelerated," he said.

Water stress affects 30% of Europe's territory, 34% of population

Lung pointed to mounting pressure on Europe's water resources, noting that water stress affects 30% of Europe's territory and 34% of its population, and that only 37% of surface waters achieved 'good or high ecological status' in 2021.

He highlighted agriculture as the greatest pressure on water resources, accounting for around 60% of all water consumed in Europe, and called for smarter irrigation, radical reductions in fertilizer and pesticide use, and a shift toward circular water systems.

Nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration can help manage floods, droughts and water quality, he added.

*Writing by Zeynep Ozturhan in Ankara