Much of the progress made over the past decade to improve Europe's environment is likely to be "wiped out" because governments have yet to make significant strides towards decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth.
This is one of the key findings of the latest assessment by the European Environment Agency (EEA) of the environment in Europe, published in advance of a UN conference of European environment ministers in Kiev, Ukraine, next week.
The new report shows that most of the progress towards environmental improvement continues to come from "end-of-pipe" measures to limit pollution or as a result of economic recession and restructuring in many parts of Europe.
"We know from the past that these gains will be lost again if economic growth continues to be based on traditional, environmentally damaging activities rather than on more sustainable, eco-efficient options," said Mr Gordon McInnes, of the EEA.
The report shows there have been mixed results for the environment from economic and social transition since the early 1990s, with western Europe developing into a more service-orientated society and the rest of the continent moving towards a market economy.
On the plus side, substantial reductions have been achieved in Europe's emissions of substances that damage the ozone layer as well as decreases in acidifying emissions to air and water pollution from factories, and some progress towards protecting wildlife habitats.
"In contrast, environmental policies to curb waste have made no significant headway."
Urban development and transport infrastructure are covering over large areas of productive soil and fragmenting natural habitats. A marked shift towards road and aviation in place of more environment-friendly modes is under way, increasing emissions.
Human health continues to face environment-related threats from the increasing generation of hazardous waste, the quality of drinking water and exposure to particulate matter, "now the biggest threat to human health from air pollution in west European cities". The report concludes that the implementation of policies which take account of environmental concerns needs to be accelerated, if Europe is to protect its environment and succeed in making the transition to more sustainable development.