Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet

Europe is heating up faster than anywhere else on Earth, in fact it is increasing at double the global average.

Europe warming faster than rest of globe

According to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) latest five-year report, the continent is warming at twice the global average rate - a stark warning that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present-day crisis.

While Europe has made progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and scaling renewable energy, the report paints a troubling picture: degraded ecosystems, dwindling biodiversity, and a declining carbon sink that once helped balance out emissions. These environmental stresses pose a direct threat to European prosperity, security, and food systems.

The cost of inaction

The EEA report highlights several worrying trends:

• 80% of protected habitats are in poor condition.

• 60–70% of soils are degraded, much of it due to intensive agriculture.

• Water stress affects one-third of Europe, with only 37% of rivers and lakes in good ecological health.

• The EU’s carbon sink has dropped by 30% over the last decade due to logging, drought, and wildfires.

  
  

Amid record-breaking heatwaves this summer, Europe saw over one million hectares of land destroyed by wildfires, further weakening ecosystems that help regulate the climate.

Why this matters for agriculture and food security

Agriculture is both part of the problem and the solution. Fertilisers, pesticides, and soil mismanagement are degrading land and water, while transport and farming emissions remain stubbornly high.

Yet, agriculture also holds the potential to lead Europe’s transition toward resilience - if we rethink how food is grown and how we use resources.

Healthy soils, clean water, and biodiversity are the bedrock of food security. Without them, yields decline, costs rise, and risks to farmers and consumers alike grow.

Protected growing environments as part of the solution

At Keder Greenhouse, we believe innovation in food production is vital to Europe’s sustainable future. Greenhouse growing - especially in controlled, resilient environments - reduces dependence on fragile outdoor conditions, protects crops from extreme weather, and minimises the need for harmful chemicals.

Large scale protected growing environments

Self-sufficiency on the rise

In response to these challenges, more and more people are turning toward self-sufficiency. Families, smallholders, and communities across Europe are looking for ways to grow their own food, reduce reliance on fragile supply chains, and protect their personal goals for resilience and independence.

This trend is about more than food - it’s about taking control of one’s future, lowering costs, and creating security in an uncertain climate. Protected growing environments, like Keder Greenhouse, make it possible to pursue these goals sustainably and successfully.

Smaller scale protected growing environments

Keder’s unique greenhouse design helps:

• Lower water usage compared to open-field farming.

• Shield crops from drought, storms, and temperature extremes.

• Reduce reliance on pesticides, supporting biodiversity.

• Extend growing seasons, boosting food security year-round.

By adopting smarter, climate-resilient systems, farmers can contribute to reversing environmental decline while ensuring stable livelihoods.

A green transition is an investment, not a cost

The EEA stresses that protecting nature is also protecting Europe’s economy. Nearly three-quarters of businesses rely directly on healthy ecosystems. Investing in sustainable farming practices, renewable energy, and resilient infrastructure will strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in the decades ahead.

Greenhouses, renewable-powered farms, and circular approaches to agriculture aren’t just climate strategies - they’re opportunities for innovation, jobs, and prosperity.

Looking forward

Europe’s rapid warming is a wake-up call. Meeting climate goals, restoring ecosystems, and safeguarding food production must be treated as urgent priorities. With the right tools and technologies, including protected growing environments like Keder Greenhouses, Europe can chart a path toward resilience, food security, and sustainability.

A healthy environment is not just about protecting nature - it’s about protecting people, prosperity, and the future of farming.