The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its latest Europe’s Environment 2025 report, and the message is sobering: despite progress in reducing emissions and improving air quality, the overall state of Europe’s environment is still “not good.”

The report highlights that more than 80 percent of Europe’s protected habitats are now in poor or bad condition. Biodiversity continues to decline across forests, rivers, lakes, and seas, driven by overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and unsustainable farming practices. Water stress already affects about one third of the continent’s territory and population, while many rivers and lakes fail to meet ecological standards.

Adding to these pressures, Europe is warming faster than any other continent. Heatwaves, droughts, and extreme climate events are increasing in frequency and intensity, placing additional strain on ecosystems, infrastructure, and public health. These environmental challenges, the report warns, are not just ecological—they threaten the very foundations of Europe’s way of life and economic stability.

Still, the EEA notes areas of progress. Since 1990, Europe has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 37 percent, and the share of renewable energy in electricity generation has more than doubled since 2005. Yet these achievements are not enough to counterbalance ongoing degradation. Without faster, stronger action, ecosystems could reach tipping points beyond repair.

EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen stressed that lowering environmental or climate ambitions is no longer an option. Instead, Europe must accelerate the implementation of existing policies under the European Green Deal, enforce regulations more effectively, and encourage a shift in consumption patterns. The alternative—continued inaction—would mean higher costs, deeper inequalities, and weakened competitiveness in a world racing toward sustainability.

The report serves as a wake-up call: Europe cannot rely on past successes. To secure nature, health, and prosperity for future generations, bold and coordinated efforts are urgently needed today.