The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report which analyses the development of a set of indicators to measure progress against targets to halt biodiversity loss. The agency stresses that the continuing loss of biodiversity is a matter of growing concern in Europe. Yet measuring the extent of the loss and the threat it poses is a huge challenge.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) report 'Streamlining European biodiversity indicators 2020: Building a future on lessons learnt from the SEBI 2010 process', which summarises achievements to date and is intended to help form the next stage of improving indicators for new biodiversity targets for 2020, also highlights measuring the extent of the loss of biodiversity and the threat it poses is a huge challenge. In May 2005, Commission launched a new strategy to halt biodiversity loss within ten years.

Almost 150 experts helped to build a set of 26 indicators since 2005 which show among other things genetic diversity of domesticated animals, trends in species populations and the extent of selected ecosystems and habitats, including protected areas. Other indicators look at threats to biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources, funding to protect biodiversity and public awareness of biodiversity issues.

According to the EEA, the SEBI process is an excellent template for further improvements to biodiversity indicators, allowing them to gain a more detailed and complex understanding of how nature is affected by our heavy footprint. The Agency also stressed that it is only with enhanced information that they can properly direct policy and raise awareness, in order to halt the loss of biodiversity and restore the ecosystems that sustain us.