Copenhagen (dpa) – Europe’s environment remains under pressure despite progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing air pollution, according to a new report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Monday.

“Significant progress has been made … but the overall state of Europe’s environment is not good,” the EEA said in a statement.

European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera said recent extreme weather events had shown the vulnerability of prosperity and security to environmental degradation and climate change. “Protecting nature is not a cost. It is an investment in competitiveness, resilience and the well-being of our citizens,” she said.

The Copenhagen-based EU body warned that Europe faces serious risks to economic stability, security and living standards if environmental deterioration continues.

However, it also noted positive trends: EU greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 37 percent since 1990, largely due to reduced reliance on coal, oil and gas, while the share of renewable energy in electricity generation has doubled since 2005.

It noted that despite progress, Europe struggles with biodiversity loss on land and in water, overexploited water resources, and unsustainable production and consumption patterns. Transport remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels and the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average, the report said.

The report, based on data from 38 countries, is the most comprehensive assessment of the state of the environment, climate and sustainability in the region.

The EEA urged governments to accelerate the implementation of European Green Deal measures to prevent further environmental decline and safeguard long-term prosperity.

The environmental protection organization WWF Germany described the EEA report as a “renewed wake-up call” to both the European Commission and EU member states to urgently implement environmental and nature conservation measures.

“The stability of our economy and thus our society depends heavily on healthy forests, seas, soils and rivers,” said WWF biodiversity expert Matthias Meissner. (29 September)

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