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1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity

This briefing covers the status of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity in Europe. It also covers the key pressures they are subjected to. Across ecosystems, biodiversity is affected by key drivers of change linked to land and sea use, resource overexploitation, pollution, invasive alien species and climate change. Pollution, protected areas and how climate change impacts ecosystems are covered in other briefings (see briefings 1.2 Pollution of ecosystems , 1.3 Protected areas and 1.5 Ecosystems and climate impacts , respectively).

1.2 Pollution of ecosystems

This briefing evaluates Europe’s progress towards making terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems free from pollution. It uses past trends in EU level indicators and assessments of chemical pollution, eutrophication, plastic pollution and noise pollution to develop an outlook and outline prospects of achieving forthcoming EU policy targets.

1.3 Protected areas

This briefing highlights the growth of protected areas on land and sea, including Natura 2000 sites under the EU’s Birds and Habitats directives, national laws and the Bern Convention. These areas are vital for protecting species, ecosystems and the environment, simultaneously providing significant economic and societal benefits. They create jobs, enhance public health and hold cultural importance. Their growing role underscores their value, with future efforts aiming to continue their expansion and manage them effectively.

1.4 Water and climate impacts

This briefing provides a European overview of droughts, water scarcity and floods. It emphasises the importance of water resilience in response to human-induced pressures and the escalating risks of climate change impacts. It uses data reported under the Water Framework Directive and WISE SoE dataflows, EEA indicators and assessments such as the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) . These datasets help define past trends in water scarcity and flooding, which provide a baseline for the outlook and prospects for achieving a water-resilient Europe.

1.5 Ecosystems and climate impacts

This briefing covers how climate change neagtively impacts ecosystems in Europe. Many ecosystems across Europe are already in a bad state (see briefing 1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity ) and their deterioration is further exacerbated by climate change. Ecosystem status ( briefing 1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity ), water and climate impacts ( briefing 1.4 Water and climate impacts ), and managing climate risks to society ( briefing 2.7 Climate risks to society ) are covered in other briefings.

1.6 Land use and land take

This briefing mainly reviews settlement area increase as captured by LULUCF land use categories reported by EU-27 Member States. Land use leads to substantial environmental impacts, above all in ecologically-valuable areas, such as coastal ones. Converting farmland or forests to settlement areas (e.g. housing, transport and infrastructure) reduces the area available to supply ecosystem products and services. Land use intensity as well as sustainable land management are important factors to consider. For example, they affect soil and water resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity. This is not reviewed in detail as part of this briefing.

1.7 Soil resources

Soils play a key role in our environment's functioning. This briefing considers the latest soils condition in Europe assessment . Healthy soils filter unwanted substances and buffer against chemical degradation. They also store and provide important nutrients as well as water. Soils are host to a huge diversity of organisms, acting as engines for ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling and carbon storage. These functions are crucial for food security, biodiversity and climate change mitigation.

1.8 Biodiversity investment needs

This briefing explores how the EU and its Member States have funded action on biodiversity through EU and international mechanisms during the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the projected MMF funding for 2021-2027. The briefing compares these periods against EU and international biodiversity funding targets. It assesses whether the funding allocations align with the current biodiversity status in Europe as highlighted in the EEA 2020 assessment .