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• Europe relies heavily on natural capital and ecosystems at home and abroad
• Access to reliable up-to-date information about the environment provides a basis for action
• Links between environmental pressures point to environmental systemic risks
• Looking at the state of the environment and future challenges from different perspectives
• Climate change could lead to catastrophic impacts if unchecked
• Europe's ambition is to limit global mean temperature increase to below 2 °C
• The EU has been reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and will meet its Kyoto obligation
• A closer look at key sectoral greenhouse gas emissions reveals mixed trends
• Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond: the EU is making some progress
• Climate change impacts and vulnerabilities differ across regions, sectors and communities
• Climate change is projected to have major impacts on ecosystems, water resources and human health
• Dedicated adaptation by Europe is urgently needed to build resilience against climate impacts
• Responding to climate change also affects other environmental challenges
• Biodiversity loss degrades natural capital and ecosystem services
• Europe’s ambition is to halt the loss of biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services
• Biodiversity is still in decline
• Land conversion drives biodiversity loss and degradation of soil functions
• Forests are heavily exploited: the share of old-growth stands is critically low
• Farmland areas decrease but management intensifies: species-rich grasslands are in decline
• Terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are still under pressure despite reduced pollution loads
• The marine environment is heavily affected by pollution and overfishing
• Maintaining biodiversity, also at global level, is crucial for people
• The overall environmental impact of Europe’s resource use continues to grow
• Europe’s ambition is to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation
• Waste management continues to shift from disposal to recycling and prevention
• Reducing resource use in Europe also reduces environmental impacts globally
• Water demand management is essential for using water resources within natural limits
• Consumption patterns are key drivers of resource use and waste generation
• Trade facilitates European resource imports and shifts some of the environmental impacts abroad
• Natural resource management is linked to other environmental and socio-economic issues
• Environment, health, life expectancy and social inequalities are linked
• Europe’s ambition is to provide an environment not giving rise to harmful effects on health
• For some pollutants ambient air quality has improved, but major health threats remain
• Road traffic is a common source of several health impacts, especially in urban areas
• Pesticides in the environment have potential for unintended impacts to wildlife and humans
• New chemical regulation may help, but the combined effects of chemicals remain an issue
• Climate change and health is an emerging challenge for Europe
• Natural environments provide multiple benefits to health and well-being, especially in urban areas
• A broader perspective is needed to address ecosystem and health links and emerging challenges
• Links between environmental challenges point towards increasing complexity
• Land-use patterns reflect trade-offs in how we use natural capital and ecosystem services
• Soil is a vital resource degraded by many pressures
• Sustainable water management requires striking a balance between different uses
• (Not) Keeping our environmental footprint within limits
• How and where we use natural capital and ecosystem services matters
• Environmental challenges in Europe and in the rest of the world are intertwined
• Links between environmental challenges are particularly apparent in Europe’s direct neighbourhood
• Environmental challenges are closely connected with global drivers of change
• Environmental challenges may increase risks to food, energy and water security on a global scale
• Global developments may increase Europe’s vulnerabilities to systemic risks
• Unprecedented change, interconnected risks and increased vulnerabilities pose new challenges
• Implementing and strengthening environmental protection provides multiple benefits
• More integrated actions across policy domains can help in greening the economy
• Stimulating fundamental transition towards a greener economy in Europe
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/2010/synthesis/synthesis/contents or scan the QR code.
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