REPORT EU 2019 EU OVERSHOOT DAY LIVING BEYOND NATURE’S 10 MAY 2019 LIMITS CONTENTS Front cover © ESA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations, with over five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. EDITORIAL 8 WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. THE EU’S ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ANALYSED 10 The European Policy Office contributes to the achievement of WWF’s global mission by leading the THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT AND BIOCAPACITY EXPLAINED 10 WWF network to shape EU policies impacting on the European and global environment. THE EU’S FOOTPRINT COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD 12 Global Footprint Network is a research organization that is changing how the world manages its FOOTPRINT AND BIOCAPACITY IN THE EU 16 natural resources and responds to climate change. Since 2003 Global Footprint Network has engaged THE IMPACT OF OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ON BIODIVERSITY 20 with more than 50 countries, 30 cities and 70 global partners to deliver scientific insights that have driven high-impact policy and investment decisions. Together, we’re creating a future where all of us can thrive within our planet’s ecological limits. WWF POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS: EUROPE AT A CROSSROADS 23 Lead authors: Tycho Vandermaesen and Rebecca Humphries at WWF European Policy Office. I. SHIFT TO SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND FOOD SYSTEMS 24 Mathis Wackernagel, Adeline Murthy, and Laetitia Mailhes at Global Footprint Network. Layout: bitter grafik, Hamburg II. MAKE EUROPE CLIMATE-NEUTRAL BY 2040 26 Printed by ZwartOpWit - Drukkerij Bulckens, Herenthout III. RESTORE NATURE 27 IV. PROTECT THE OCEANS 29 V. FINANCING OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 30 Certificate No. 17/319 GLOSSARY 34 Published in April 2019 by WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), WHAT IS FOOTPRINT ACCOUNTING? 35 Brussels, Belgium. Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. © Text 2019 WWF. All rights reserved. This programme is implemented with the support of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of WWF and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. © Elizabeth Lies / Unsplash If everybody in the world lived like the average EU resident, we would have used up nature’s budget for the year by the 10 May, and would need 2.8 planets. This is unsustainable - we’re depleting natural ecosystems at a faster rate than what can be renewed. The solutions to reduce the EU’s Ecological Footprint are at hand – but there is only a narrow window for the EU to act. Executive Summary OVERSHOOT DAYS ACROSS THE EU AND THE WORLD Executive Summary Cuba 112 Luxembourg 102 Estonia 203 Morocco 112 Denmark 203 Niger 2512 an. Sweden 304 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY J Fe . b Latvia 404 c . e D Finland 04 Lao People’s M 04 Belgium a Democratic Republic 11 . r In 2019, the EU Overshoot Day falls on 10 May, based on the latest v s Austria 04 o N Malta 1304 data produced by Global Footprint Network. The date of the EU Lithuania 104 Overshoot Day is calculated by comparing the EU’s Footprint per A Czech Republic 104 p . resident to the globally available biocapacity per person. In other r Ireland 204 t Viet Nam 10 . c words, if everybody in the world had the same Ecological Footprint 204 Slovenia Colombia 110 O 26,205 as the average EU resident – emitting as much carbon, consuming M Germany 305 as much food, timber and fibres, and occupying as much built-up a . t y Netherlands 405 p space – 10 May would be the date by which humanity would e S EU average 1005 have used as much from nature than our planet can renew in the Gabon 10 J 1505 France u n . 230 e Peru g whole year. For the rest of the year, humanity would have to live u 1505 Italy A J u l Tunisia 20 y off depleting the natural capital of the Earth. This means more Poland 1505 carbon emissions than the planet’s natural ecosystems can absorb, United Kingdom 105 more biomass destroyed through deforestation than nature can Greece 2005 regenerate, depleted fishing grounds, soil erosion and biodiversity Slovakia 2205 loss. Costa Rica 100 USA 1503 Portugal 205 Mexico 10 Norway 104 Spain 205 Russian Fed. 204 When taking into account the EU’s Ecological Footprint and Switzerland 05 the biocapacity within its borders – meaning the biologically China 140 productive areas within the EU – the EU and its citizens are Brazil 310 Croatia 10 Cyprus 0 currently using twice more than what the EU’s ecosystems can Hungary 140 renew. EU Overshoot Day EU-28 and Member States 20% Bulgaria 220 Earth Overshoot Day Key non-EU countries Romania 120 OF THE EARTHS The EU’s impact on the planet’s resources is inequitable: the BIOCAPACITY EU uses almost 20% of the Earth’s biocapacity although it IS USED BY THE EU, comprises only 7% of the world population. In other words, 2.8 WITH ONLY 7% planets would be needed if everyone consumed at the rate of the average EU resident. This is well above the world average which is The picture within the EU is not homogeneous either. Data shows OF THE WORLD approximately 1.7 planets. Whether at the regional or global level, a wide range between different countries’ consumption patterns, POPULATION human demand on nature is way beyond what is sustainable for although none of them stay within the planetary boundaries. our planet. Luxembourg is the first country in the EU to reach its Overshoot Day just 46 days into the year, whereas Romania comes last, using up the available resources for the entire year in 192 days – still earlier than the global average1. The reasons for these differences are diverse and discussed in this report. 2.8 EARTHS wold e needed if everone consmed lie the average 1 Earth Overshoot Day took place on 1 August in 2018. E resident EU Overshoot Day – Living Beyond Nature’s Limits – page 6 EU Overshoot Day – Living Beyond Nature’s Limits – page 7 © Global Warming Images / WWF Editorial Editorial EDITORIAL If everybody in the world lived like the average EU resident, we would have used up nature’s budget for the year by 10 May 2019 – almost three months before Earth Overshoot Day which takes place earlier and earlier every year. These figures are stark and show that Europe by Ester Asin, is using up more than its fair share of the Director, world’s ecological resources. Yet we only have WWF European one planet, and we’re depleting its natural Policy Office ecosystems at a faster rate than they can be renewed. Continuing at this rate is no longer an option. It is also irresponsible. This carries a significant cost, both for our economies and CONTINUING our health: extreme weather events have cost AT THIS RATE the European economy €450 billion since 1980 IS NOT ONLY and air pollution causes 430.000 premature NO LONGER AN deaths in Europe each year. By tackling climate change and environmental degradation, the OPTION, IT IS well-being and quality of life of European why WWF is calling for leaders across Europe to adopt a European IRRESPONSIBLE citizens can be improved. Sustainability Pact with concrete goals and actions on climate change, nature and sustainable development to be achieved over The solutions to tackle this crisis are within reach: numerous the next five years. examples show it is possible to move towards a climate neutral society which is respectful of nature. Whether businesses, cities, The course of action would benefit not only the environment, and regions invest in the sustainable economy, or governments are but also our quality of life and well-being. As the Sustainable pledging to achieve net-zero emissions, it is possible to make the Development Goals show, the economy cannot thrive without right choices for our planet and for us all, leaving no one behind. putting the concerns of the environment and people at its centre. And if we are to safeguard the EU’s security and stability, and The upcoming European parliamentary elections of 23-26 May ensure our resource security in the long term, tackling climate 2019 are a unique opportunity to let our elected representatives change and environmental degradation is not optional. Europe’s know that we trust them to lead the way, protecting us and the continued leadership can only be guaranteed if it invests in those planet by stepping up for the environment and honouring the sectors that will be at the heart of tomorrow’s economies, such commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement. The way priorities as renewable energy, sustainable transport and environmentally set by national and European decision makers will determine responsible agriculture and fisheries. whether they are up to the challenge: the next few years are decisive, the EU will need to take ambitious policy decisions to set Solutions are available. If we don’t firmly decide to support them us on the path towards climate neutrality, and to restore our nature today, tomorrow will be too late. The appropriate policy decisions and protect our environment both in Europe and globally. This is need to be taken now.