Jeremy Wates, EEB Secretary General, said:

“This is bad news for the UK, Europe and the environment. All evidence shows that the EU has brought many environmental benefits for citizens and nature across Europe. It is tragic that these advantages failed to help convince a majority of people in the UK to vote remain. It is uncertain exactly what will happen next. However, it is clear that the calls by UK Prime Minister David Cameron for EU reform based on haphazardly slashing red tape did not influence the debate. Instead of giving in to short-term demands, it should now be clear to the European Commission, MEPs and Member States that another way forward is needed to create a Europe that listens to its citizens and that is fit to tackle the challenges of the twenty-first century, not least by stepping up EU measures to address climate change, resource depletion and ecosystem collapse.”