Overview

• Europe has cut greenhouse gas emissions 37% since 1990 and reduced air-pollution deaths linked to fine particles by 45% since 2005, yet the agency says the overall environmental condition remains poor.
• The report finds widespread degradation with about 81% of protected habitats in poor or bad condition, 60–70% of soils degraded, and 62% of water bodies failing good ecological status.
• Natural climate buffers are weakening as the EU carbon sink has shrunk by roughly 30% in a decade due to logging, wildfires and pests.
• Water stress already affects about one in three Europeans, and the EEA estimates up to 40% of water use could be saved through governance improvements, technology, reuse and public awareness.
• Political divisions are hindering next steps, with EU countries failing to present a collective 2035 plan at a recent UN summit and still unable to agree on a proposed 90% emissions cut by 2040.