Experts urge EU to put ecological sustainability at heart of policymaking

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) has called on the EU to make ecological sustainability a central principle of all policymaking. In a new Opinion 'Valuing Nature: Implications for EU Governance' released on 3 June 2026, experts warn that Europe’s future resilience, prosperity and security depend on recognising humanity’s deep dependence on nature.

The Opinion argues that sustainability should no longer be treated as a secondary goal, especially amid biodiversity loss, climate instability, systemic risks and growing geopolitical and economic pressures. Among its key recommendations, the EGE urges the EU to establish a legal right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, integrate ecological and ethical considerations more consistently into decisions, and treat ecological boundaries as firm limits in policy and impact assessments.

The experts also call for stronger governance mechanisms, greater public participation, improved ecological literacy, and more support for research and responsible innovation. In addition, they stress the need for the EU’s internal sustainability commitments to align with its external actions.

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