The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published its five-yearly flagship assessment, Europe’s environment and climate 2025, which it describes as a “health-check” for the continent’s environment, climate and sustainability. This year’s edition raises particular concern about Europe’s waters, warning that pollution, over-extraction and climate change are undermining ecosystems and increasing risks for people and economies.
The report reveals that clean water availability is far from guaranteed across the continent. On average, water stress already affects 30% of Europe’s territory and 34% of its population in any given year, and these vulnerabilities are expected to worsen as droughts, floods and saltwater intrusion intensify.
Despite some gains in efficiency, water scarcity remains persistent. The report highlights that Cyprus and Malta are among the most severely affected by seasonal shortages, and that southern Europe continues to bear disproportionate risk.
Pollution continues to exert heavy pressure as well. Agriculture is flagged as the single largest stressor on both surface and groundwater, via fertiliser and pesticide runoff. Nearly one in three groundwater monitoring sites exceeds safe nitrate levels, and pesticides appear above harmful thresholds in 10–25% of such sites. Wastewater and industrial discharges add further burdens.
The report reveals that clean water availability is far from guaranteed across the continent
Just 38% of rivers, lakes and coastal waters attained “good or high ecological status” by 2021, meaning that the majority of water bodies still fall short of EU targets. The EEA cautions that the 2027 deadline to restore good ecological status is unlikely to be met.
On the brighter side, water abstraction in the EU has declined by 19% between 2000 and 2022, helped by improved efficiency and structural shifts, particularly in parts of Eastern Europe. Bathing water quality has generally improved and meets EU standards at most monitored sites.
At the report’s launch, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera remarked: “This report is a stark reminder that Europe must stay the course and even accelerate our climate and environmental ambitions. Recent extreme weather events show how fragile our prosperity and security become when nature is degraded, and climate impacts intensify. Delaying or postponing our climate targets would only increase costs, deepen inequalities, and weaken our resilience. Protecting nature is not a cost. It is an investment in competitiveness, resilience and the well-being of our citizens. By scaling up action now, we can build a cleaner, fairer and more resilient Europe for future generations.”
The report underscores that stronger policies are needed: restoring wetlands and river systems, limiting abstraction, expanding water reuse, and shifting agricultural practices to reduce pollution are among the key priorities.
“Water is central to ecosystems, health and the economy,” the EEA notes and warns that without more concerted efforts, climate change will magnify existing pressures and jeopardize Europe’s long-term water security.
