European Environment Agency report critical

The European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes a report on the state of the environment in Europe every five years. For this purpose, data are collected and analyzed that meet common criteria and therefore become comparable. Furthermore, the report discusses upcoming challenges of environmental and climate policy in European countries. Switzerland has been a member of the EEA since 2006.

The SOER Report 2020 contains data from 39 countries and covers areas such as climate, biodiversity, air, water or soil. The pressures on the environment caused by human activities are also taken into account. It shows that the loss of biodiversity, the use of resources, the effects of climate change and environmental risks to health and well-being are the current problems in Europe. Reconciling social, economic and environmental aspects will therefore be the overarching challenge to be addressed in the coming decades.

Switzerland has achieved positive developments with regard to the cleanliness of air and water - thanks to legal requirements and technological progress. The majority of forests are healthy and sites with contaminated sites are increasingly decreasing thanks to comprehensive remediation measures. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions have also been decoupled from economic growth.

There is still a great need to catch up in the area of natural resources. In particular, Switzerland achieves an unsatisfactory result in biodiversity. Of all European countries, it has the lowest proportion of protected areas in relation to its land area. Furthermore, pesticides in soil and water are increasingly polluting biodiversity. A rethink is also needed in terms of consumption and production behavior. Currently, Switzerland is more than tripling the level of environmental impact. Although Switzerland's environmental impact has decreased over the last 20 years, three quarters of Switzerland's environmental impact now originates abroad and affects the climate, biodiversity and water availability there, which in turn has a negative impact on health, well-being, natural habitats and biodiversity.

The approach to solving the challenges just mentioned is described by Marc Chardonnens, FOEN Director, as follows: "The focus must now be on expanding, accelerating and implementing the many solutions and innovations that already exist. At the same time, additional research and development in the environmental field and adapted consumption as well as production methods are needed. Citizens must be addressed and heard so that they can support these transformations.

Also in view of the Paris Climate Agreement, the year 2020 is to be understood as an important cornerstone. The goals of the year that has just begun are:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% relative to 1990.
• 20% of the EU's energy is obtained from renewable sources
• 20% Increase in energy efficiency

Looking ahead to the years 2021-2030, these targets will become even more acute. In October 2014, European countries agreed to achieve the following climate and energy policy goals:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40%
• Increase share of renewable energy to at least 27%
• Increase in energy efficiency by at least 27%

As a result, Switzerland is planning a total revision of the CO2 Act for 2020. In addition, the sustainability strategy 2021-2030 will be adapted, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For the planned 50% less emissions, at least 30% are to be saved domestically and a maximum of 20% abroad. Further technological innovations, stricter regulations and incentives should make it possible. This means there is still a long way to go before the international goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees and making Switzerland climate-neutral by 2050.

To the detailed report "The European environment -state and outlook 2020" (in English) of the EEA