Summary of Leena Ylä-Mononen’s Presentation to GLOBE EU on Europe’s Environment 2025
Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, presented the Agency’s comprehensive report to Sirpa Pietikäinen and members of the GLOBE EU network on October 13, 2025. Her presentation covered Europe’s environment and its trajectory towards resilience, prosperity, and sustainability.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems:
- State of Biodiversity: Current declines in biodiversity and ecosystem pollution are pressing concerns. Protected areas, water, climate impacts, and land use are explored to assess ecological health.
- Trends and Outlook: Past trends over the last 10-15 years show a decline, and the future outlook remains challenging unless actionable changes occur.
Climate Change:
- Key Areas: Examination of greenhouse gas emissions, mobility, energy systems, CO2 storage, climate risks, and governance presents a comprehensive picture of climate-related issues.
- Economic Impact: Increasing economic losses are anticipated due to the rising impacts of climate change.
Environment and Health:
- Health Impacts: Focused on pollutant emissions, air and water quality, noise pollution, and the associated health inequalities.
- Policy Impact: EU air quality policies have proven effective in saving lives, demonstrating the importance of continued and improved interventions.
Circular Economy:
- Circular Design and Waste: Analysis reveals stagnation in achieving circularity, with waste generation and recycling processes needing significant improvement.
- Consumption Impact: Consumption patterns remain unsustainable, reinforcing the need for systemic change.
Red Flags:
- Ongoing Issues: Continued biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and water scarcity have severe implications.
- Climate and Emissions: The transport and agriculture sectors are notable contributors to emissions, hampering progress.
- Circularity: The transition towards a circular economy is progressing slowly, necessitating accelerated initiatives.
Overall, Ms. Ylä-Mononen highlighted critical challenges and areas for improvement in Europe’s environmental policies and practices to achieve a sustainable future.