Lisbon goal poses choice between efficiency leap or exploiting the planet, EEA head warns

The European Union faces a choice between exploiting the rest of the planet or becoming dramatically more efficient in its use of resources if it is to meet its 'Lisbon strategy' goal of becoming the world's most dynamic and competitive economy, EEA Executive Director Prof. Jacqueline McGlade warned today. Speaking at a dinner in Copenhagen to mark the Agency's 10th anniversary, Prof. McGlade said the EEA's analyses showed that "competing demands for space in a rapidly changing set of landscapes" already posed a major challenge for Europe, and the EU's Lisbon goal was placing even harsher demands on its land resources.