Author Description

This is the first edition of a revived annual indicator report series published by the European Environment Agency. The focus on green economy reflects its importance as a key environmental priority, and the need to provide a path to renewed economic growth and job creation in response to the current severe economic crises facing Europe. In its simplest form, the overarching concept of a green economy recognises that ecosystems, the economy and human well-being, and the related types of capital they represent, are intrinsically linked. At the core of these is the continued challenges of improving resource efficiency whilst ensuring ecosystem resilience in the natural systems that sustain us. This report presents a set of environmental indicators to enable policymakers and the public to assess where Europe stands vis-à-vis this combined challenge: some reveal encouraging trends, others less so.