The recent shifts in political priorities, following the outcomes of the US and European elections, along with other pressing challenges that Europe is facing, have raised significant concerns about whether the EU can maintain its ambitious climate and environmental goals. There are doubts about its ability to achieve a just transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral future by 2050. Extreme weather events have affected many regions in Europe over recent years, and their increasing frequency and intensity are now causing devastating consequences. Recent floods in Valencia left over 220 people dead, submerged homes and infrastructure, destroyed agricultural fields and left the regional economy facing millions in damages. This is just one example of the escalating risks of climate-related events, highlighting the imperative for Member States to accelerate their progress on climate mitigation and adaptation.
Across Europe, the broader impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly severe, impacting biodiversity, healthcare systems, agriculture, energy supply and infrastructure. These challenges are imposing an increasing financial burden on economies. Without urgent and coordinated action, these impacts will only worsen, becoming harder to address and more costly to manage.
This event will emphasise the urgent need for action and effective implementation of the current policy toolbox. This policy insight, organised with the European Environment Agency (EEA), offers a check-up on the state of our environment, taking stock of the progress made this past year and identifying key milestones to be achieved in 2025 for Europe to meet its ambitious targets.
This event will take place in Brussels and will also be available to a wider audience via livestream.
Speakers:
🔸 Leena Yla-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency
🔸 Dirk Messner, President of Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency
🔸 Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts, Climate and Children’s Rights Activist and Founder of Climate Justice for Rosa.