EU Warns Climate Change Drives Severe Environmental Decline Across Europe

The European Environment Agency (EEA) reports that climate change and environmental degradation pose significant threats to Europe's natural resources, economic security, and way of life. Despite Europe being a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37% since 1990 through decreased fossil fuel use and increased renewable energy, progress has stagnated in critical sectors like agriculture and transport, with protected habitats and biodiversity continuing to decline. More than 80% of protected habitats are in poor or bad condition, and 60-70% of soils are degraded, while water scarcity affects one in three Europeans and is expected to worsen. The EEA warns that insufficient climate adaptation measures leave vulnerable populations at risk amid escalating extreme weather events, with economic costs mounting. Political divisions within the EU have hindered the adoption of more ambitious emissions-cutting targets, complicating efforts to meet 2030 goals and the European Green Deal commitments. EU leaders emphasize the urgency of strengthening environmental policies to secure future prosperity and competitiveness, countering pressures from domestic political changes and external influences such as U.S. fossil fuel interests.