Although greenhouse gas emissions have decreased and the air has become cleaner, Europe's nature is in danger. The prospects for most environmental trends are worrying and pose significant risks to Europe's economic prosperity, security, and quality of life, according to the EU body EEA's report.
In the report, which is based on data from 38 countries, it is emphasized that climate change and environmental degradation pose a direct threat to Europe's competitiveness, which is dependent on natural resources.
Sweden also has extensive challenges according to the report. We are on the right track when it comes to the share of renewable energy in the total amount of energy used, but have a long way to go in other areas. Among other things, the costs of climate-related events such as floods, storms, and heatwaves are increasing sharply. Sweden also needs to speed up to meet the EU target of protecting 30 percent of nature by 2030.
"The recent extreme weather shows how fragile our welfare and security become when nature is destroyed and climate impact is intensified. Delaying or putting off climate targets would only increase costs, deepen inequality, and weaken our resilience," says Teresa Ribera, First Vice-President of the EU Commission in a press comment.
