The State of Europe’s Environment
2015 China Europe Water Platform (CEWP)
Copenhagen, 12 May 2015
Dr Hans Bruyninckx
Executive Director, European Environment Agency
The 7th EAP: a long term vision of sustainability
“In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our
prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative,
circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural
resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected,
valued and restored in ways that enhance our society's resilience.
Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource
use, setting the pace for a global, safe and sustainable society.”
Source: 7th Environment Action Programme
Other EU policies offer similar perspectives: Europe 2020 Strategy, EU Energy Roadmap 2050, Roadmap
to a Resource Efficient Europe, Roadmap for a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, etc.
The Water Framework Directive
Source: EEA SOER 2015 briefing on Hydrological systems and sustainable water management
Water management - investing in Natural Capital
Sustainability
•
•
•
1st phase
2nd phase
3rd phase
1970-2000
2000-2015
2015-2050
Treatment and
sanitation
Flood defence
Drainage
•
•
•
•
Water efficiency
Economic instruments
Water pricing
Infrastructure
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Climate proof
Green infrastructure
Green/blue cities
Nature based solutions
Reduction at source
Water/food link
Water/energy link
Time
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
from the
ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Policy
Industry
Energy system Food
system
system
Ecosystem
services
Values
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Environmental
externalities
Market
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
from the
ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Policy
Ecosystem
services
Values
Ecosystem services
• Water supply Industry
Energy
system Food
• Habitats
Environmental
system
system
externalities
• Flood retention / protection
• Recreation, cultural
services
Market
system
system
Deposits
• … Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
from the
providing social needs and value
ecosystemsValues and norms
Policy
Industry
• Cultural
Energy system Food
Ecosystem
• Well being system
system
services
• Historic identity
Values
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Environmental
externalities
Market
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals Market
SOCIO-TECHNICAL
SYSTEMS
dynamics
from the
providing
social
needs and value
•
Water
services,
supply,
treatment
ecosystems
Policy
Industry
• Water price
•Ecosystem
Part in overall production
costs Food
Energy system
system
•services
ROI from investingsystem
in natural capital
Values
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Environmental
externalities
Market
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
WaterECOSYSTEMS
sector
• Technology
• Process
Withdrawals • Energy
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
from the
providing social needs and value
• Employment
ecosystems • Competitiveness
Policy
Industry
Energy system Food
system
system
Ecosystem
services
Values
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Environmental
externalities
Market
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
from the
ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Policy
Ecosystem
services
Values
Industry
Technology and science
Foodand beyond
system
Environmental
• Energy
‘Water’
sector
system
system
• Innovation for efficiency externalities
• Research for nature based solutions
Market
system
• system
Patents
Mobility
Deposits
system
Science
Technology
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
from the
ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs andSectors
value and core systems
Policy
Ecosystem
services
Values
Industry
• Water/energy
link
• Smart agriculture and food
Energy system Food
Environmental
system consumption
system
externalities
• Inland navigation
• Built
environment
Market
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals
from the
ecosystems
Ecosystem
services
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Policy
Industry
Energy system Food
system
system
Environmental
externalities
• Systemic and integrated policies
Market
system
system
•Values
Achieve
“good
status”
not
end goalDeposits
Mobility
system
Emissions
• Respect sustainability
limits
Pollution
• High ambition level Science
• StrongTechnology
implementation
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Externalities
• Minimized
• Circularity
Withdrawals
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
• Evaluated
in lightsocial
of overall
from the
providing
needs and value
ecosystemssustainability
Policy
Industry
Energy system Food
system
system
Ecosystem
services
Values
system
system
Mobility
system
Science
Technology
Environmental
externalities
Market
Deposits
Emissions
Pollution
Conclusions
• Achieving the 2050 vision is possible but it depends on our
actions and investments today.
• Technological, economic, and social innovations can support
long-term transitions to green and blue economies.
• Publicly funded research has fostered many of the most
important and commercially successful innovations.
Thank you
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Optional slides
SOER2015 / European briefings /
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© Peter Kristensen, EEA
Freshwater quality
•
Much cleaner than 25 years ago, many water bodies are still
affected by pollutants and/or altered habitats.
•
In 2009, only 43 % showed a good/high ecological status; the
10 points expected increase for 2015 (53 %) constitutes only a
modest improvement in aquatic ecosystem health.
•
Water management should improve with the second round of
river basin management plans in 2015-16 resulting in the
realisation of more policy objectives through stringent, wellintegrated implementation and public participation.
Water pollution
& related envi.
health risks
Ecol. status of
freshwater
bodies
Water quality
and nutrient
loading
Climate change
impacts on
ecosystems
Industrial
pollution to air,
soil and water
Urban systems
and grey
infrastructure
Chemicals &
related envi.
health risks
Water use and
water stress
Freshwater
quality
SOER2015 / European briefings /
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© Katarzyna Dąbrowska, Environment & Me /EEA
Hydrological systems and sustainable water
management
•
Intensive agriculture, urbanisation, energy production and flood
protection have altered European hydrological systems and
freshwater habitats for decades.
•
Climate change adds to these challenges (higher water
temperature, more floods or water scarcity).
•
Less than half of all water bodies have a ‘good status’.
•
Full and coordinated implementation of water and nature
legislation would restore aquatic habitats and foster water
efficiency.
Ecol. status of
freshwater
bodies
Water quality
and nutrient
loading
Water use and
water stress
WFD – achieving good water status
Source: Commission Communication 2015 ‘The Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive: Actions towards
the 'good status' of EU water and to reduce flood risks’.
Eco-industries have prospered despite the
recession in Europe
170
Eco-industry
value added
160
150
Eco-industry
employment
140
130
120
Total EU GDP
110
Total EU
employment
100
90
2000
2001
2002
2003
Source: Eurostat, 2014.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012