Aea Report

Threats to nature and climate change, Europe's challenges to safeguard the environment

This is what emerges from the State of the Environment Report, published by the European Agency EEA

by Davide Madeddu

8 October 2025

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Some progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go to safeguard natural resources.

The state of the environment in Europe "is not good: threats to nature and the effects of climate change are the main challenges". And even in Italy, although there have been changes, there is still more work to be done. This is underlined in the State of the Environment report published by the European Environment Agency, which stresses that despite the "significant progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the overall state of the environment in Europe is not good, especially as regards nature, which continues to suffer degradation, overexploitation and loss of biodiversity".

Analysis on data from 38 countries

The Report, based on data from 38 countries, analyses the current state and prospects for the environment, climate and sustainability. The study emphasises that "climate change and environmental degradation pose a direct threat to Europe's resource-dependent competitiveness". Not only that, among other passages is the fact that achieving climate neutrality by 2050 "also depends on better and more responsible management of soil, water and other resources". Hence a call to accelerate policies for long-term sustainability.

Future challenges

The European picture depicted is one of declining biodiversity in all terrestrial, 'freshwater and marine ecosystems due to persistent pressures from unsustainable production and consumption patterns, as evidenced, in particular, by the food system'. Not only that, looking to the future, 'the deterioration in the state of Europe's biodiversity and ecosystems is expected to continue' and, according to the report, 'it is unlikely that agreed policy targets will be met by 2030'. One way forward, as the study points out, is to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems, protect watersheds and ensure that groundwater resources are replenished. is critical to ensuring Europe's future water resilience.

The role of climate

Then there is the chapter on change: 'Europe is the fastest warming continent on the entire planet. The climate is changing at an alarming rate, threatening security, public health, ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy'

For the report, one of the ways forward is 'a radical change in production and consumption systems: decarbonisation of the economy, transition to circularity, reduction of pollution and responsible management of natural resources'.

The Italian Framework

In this scenario, taking "significant steps towards sustainability" is Italy, which has to face "many challenges". "Italy has excelled in organic farming. Protected areas cover 21.7 per cent of the territory," the document emphasises, "but Italy must increase this share to help reach the EU target of 30 per cent by 2030. The picture on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is also positive, "decreased since 2005, but further reductions are necessary to reach the EU's objectives.

Renewables

"Renewable energy is a key opportunity, with Italy surpassing its 2020 target and aiming for 38.7 per cent renewable energy use by 2030," it goes on to say. Although energy consumption has decreased, the rate of reduction needs to be doubled to meet future targets. Climate-related economic losses are increasing, highlighting the need for robust adaptation strategies.

The Circular Economy

On the circular economy front, according to the study, there is still work to be done: 'Italy has a high rate of material utilisation,' it emphasises. 'However, we need to reduce dependence on imports of critical raw materials, strengthening the recycling and reuse of resources already present in the country.