COPENHAGEN, Dec 4, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The EU will not meet its environmental
targets for 2020 but could achieve those for 2030 and 2050 if urgent action
is taken, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said Wednesday.
“While most of the 2020 targets will not be achieved, especially those on
biodiversity, there is still a chance to meet the longer-term goals and
objectives for 2030 and 2050,” the EEA said in a report published during the
COP25 summit that opened in Madrid on Monday.
It said Europe needed “urgent action” during the next 10 years to address
“the alarming rate of biodiversity loss, increasing impacts of climate change
and the overconsumption of natural resources.”
The report noted that while there had been a 22 percent decrease in
greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2017 and a rising share of
renewable energies, more progress was needed.
The EEA said that of the 13 biodiversity policy objectives set for 2020,
only two would be met: designating marine protected areas and terrestrial
protected areas.
However, the protection of species and natural habitats, water ecosystems
and wetlands, and soil conditions remain a concern, as do chemical emissions
and air and noise pollution.
“Policies have been more effective in reducing environmental pressures than
in protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, and human health and well-being,”
the report said.
Current trends show a “slowing down of progress in areas such as reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, industrial emissions, waste generation, improving
energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy. Looking ahead, the
current rate of progress will not be enough to meet 2030 and 2050 climate and
energy targets.”
The COP15 on biodiversity will be held next year in China where states will
set new targets, even though the objectives for 2020 will still not have been
met.