Biodiversity, climate change and you
EEA Signals 2010: stories about people and their environment
View ArticleIs Europe's transport getting greener? Partly
While technological advances produce cleaner vehicles, more and more passengers and goods are travelling further distances, thereby offsetting efficiency gains. Based on analysis of long-term trends, a...
View ArticleEU greenhouse gas emissions: more than half way to the '20 % target by 2020'
The European Union's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows that emissions have not only continued their downward trend in 2008, but have also...
View ArticleEU bathing water quality remains high
Clean bathing waters are vital for key economic sectors such as tourism and for plant and animal life. The annual bathing water report presented by the European Commission and the European Environment...
View ArticleDeep emission cuts give the EU a head start under the Kyoto Protocol
A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that large drop in emissions seen in 2008 and 2009 gives EU-15 a head start to reach and even overachieve its 8 % reduction target under the...
View ArticleButterflies or business - Europe can have both!
The European Environment Agency (EEA) released today its fourth Environment State and Outlook report — SOER 2010 — a comprehensive assessment of how and why Europe’s environment is changing, and what...
View ArticleNew maps give Europeans close-up picture of air pollution from diffuse sources
New online maps published today by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, in close cooperation with the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) of the Joint Research...
View ArticleRecession and renewables cut greenhouse emissions in 2009
Greenhouse gas emissions decreased very sharply in 2009, by 7.1 % in the EU-27 and 6.9 % in the EU-15. These most recent results, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), confirm estimates...
View ArticleBathing water quality remains high around the EU
The quality of bathing water across Europe declined slightly between 2009 and 2010, but the overall quality was still high. More than nine out of 10 bathing water sites now meet the minimum requirements.
View ArticleGlobalisation, environment and you
New EEA report highlights connectivity between global issues
View ArticlePan-European assessment asks: 'What do we know about water and green economy?'
Ministers will meet in Astana, Kazakhstan, today to discuss water issues and greening the economy at the seventh 'Environment for Europe' Ministerial Conference, running from 21 - 23 September 2011. To...
View ArticleEU greenhouse gas emissions estimated to increase in 2010, but long-term...
The European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite a 2.4 % emissions increase in 2010, according to first estimates by the...
View ArticleEuropean transport sector must be ambitious to meet targets
Emissions of many pollutants from transport fell in 2009. But this reduction may only be a temporary effect of the economic downturn, according to the latest annual report on transport emissions from...
View ArticleIndustrial air pollution cost Europe up to €169 billion in 2009, EEA reveals
Air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe cost citizens between € 102 and 169 billion in 2009. This was one of the findings of a new report from the European Environment...
View ArticleNew Eye on Earth global mapping and information service now live
A new global web service allowing users to create maps and visualise data on environmental issues is now live. The new Eye on Earth global public information service brings together vast amounts of...
View ArticleYouth video competition: share your vision of a sustainable future and win...
What is your vision for sustainable living in 20 years' time? Competition "Generation '92" offers the opportunity for young Europeans born in 1991, 1992 or 1993 to make a video showing their vision of...
View ArticleEurope needs to use water more efficiently
Europe needs to redouble efforts in using water more efficiently to avoid undermining its economy, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Inefficient water use impacts...
View ArticleIncrease in cancers and fertility problems may be caused by household...
Chemicals which disrupt the hormone system – also known as 'endocrine disrupting chemicals' (EDCs) – may be a contributing factor behind the significant increases in cancers, diabetes and obesity,...
View ArticleEurope's future depends on cities resilient to climate change
Around three quarters of Europeans live in cities. Most of Europe's wealth is generated in cities, and urban areas are particularly at risk due to climate change. Europe should seize the opportunity of...
View ArticleClean water at majority of EU holiday destinations
Good news if you're planning a beach holiday in Europe this summer: 92.1 % of bathing waters in the European Union now meet the minimum water quality standards set by the Bathing Water Directive. This...
View ArticleHigher EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 due to economic recovery and cold...
Greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2010, as a result of both economic recovery in many countries after the 2009 recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless, emissions growth was somewhat contained by...
View ArticleMany Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutants
Almost a third of Europe's city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it...
View ArticleEU greenhouse gases in 2011: more countries on track to meet Kyoto targets,...
Emissions of greenhouse gases in the European Union (EU) fell on average by 2.5 % from 2010 to 2011, although several countries increased emissions. Almost all European countries are individually on...
View ArticleClimate change evident across Europe, confirming urgent need for adaptation
Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment. Further impacts are expected in the future, potentially causing high damage costs,...
View ArticleTraffic pollution still harmful to health in many parts of Europe
Transport in Europe is responsible for damaging levels of air pollutants and a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the resulting environmental problems can be addressed by stepping up...
View ArticleWater management in Europe faces rising challenges as ecosystems weaken
Water pollution and excessive water use are still harming ecosystems, which are indispensable to Europe’s food, energy, and water supplies. To maintain water ecosystems, farming, planning, energy and...
View ArticleThe cost of ignoring the warning signs - EEA publishes ‘Late Lessons from...
New technologies have sometimes had very harmful effects, but in many cases the early warning signs have been suppressed or ignored. The second volume of Late Lessons from Early Warnings investigates...
View ArticleReducing the € 45 billion health cost of air pollution from lorries
Road charges for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs or lorries) should reflect the varied health effects of traffic pollution in different European countries. This means charges should be much higher in some...
View ArticleHighest recycling rates in Austria and Germany – but UK and Ireland show...
Austria, Germany and Belgium recycled the largest proportion of municipal waste in Europe in 2010. Although some countries have rapidly increased recycling rates, Europe is still wasting vast...
View ArticleEurope must adapt to stay ahead of a changing climate
As Europe’s climate warms, wine producers in Europe may need to change the type of grapes they cultivate or the location of vineyards, even moving production to other areas in some cases. This is just...
View ArticleEurope’s bathing waters continue to improve
Ninety-four per cent of bathing sites in the European Union meet minimum standards for water quality, according to the European Environment Agency's annual report on bathing water quality in Europe....
View ArticleGreenhouse gases: 2011 emissions lower than previously estimated
Greenhouse gases fell by 3.3 % in the EU in 2011, leading to the lowest level of emissions in reports going back to 1990. The decrease in 2011 was also the third largest over this period, according to...
View ArticleBioenergy production must use resources more efficiently
Using biomass for energy is an important part of the renewable energy mix. However, bioenergy production should follow EU resource efficiency principles, according to a new report from the European...
View ArticleClimate and energy targets – EU largely on track but mixed picture across...
European Union Member States are showing mixed progress towards three climate and energy targets for 2020, even though the EU as a whole could reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 21% in 2020 with the...
View ArticleAir pollution still harming health across Europe
Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union (EU) are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This result...
View ArticleThe squeeze on Europe's coastline continues
Europe's coastal regions are increasingly vital for its economy, yet their natural assets on which it depends continue to degrade. This is according to a new report from the European Environment...
View ArticleFront-running cities changing transport, improving quality of life
Many cities in Europe are changing, according to a new report which points to rapid transformations in urban transport in some areas. While cycling and efficient public transport are becoming the norm...
View ArticleEurope's seas: A valuable asset that must be used sustainably
Many of Europe's marine species, habitats and ecosystems have been threatened for decades. As maritime economic activities are predicted to increase in coming years, a new briefing from the European...
View ArticleWater quality excellent at most of Europe's bathing sites
The water at Europe's beaches, rivers and lakes was generally of high quality in 2013, with 95 % of these sites meeting minimum requirements. Coastal sites performed slightly better than inland bathing...
View ArticleEU reports lowest greenhouse gas emissions on record
The European Union's greenhouse gas emissions continued to fall in 2012, as a 1.3 % decrease cut emissions to 19.2 % below 1990 levels, according to official data from the European Environment Agency...
View ArticleThe 'green economy' can encourage jobs and innovation - study
Europe can create jobs and encourage innovation by using resources much more efficiently, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which describes a range of policies with...
View ArticlePolicies put the EU on track to meet its 2020 climate and energy targets but...
European Union (EU) greenhouse gas emissions fell almost 2 % between 2012 and 2013, putting the EU very close to its 2020 reduction target, according to new analysis from the European Environment...
View ArticleEurope's cities still suffering from harmful air pollution
Air pollution in Europe comes with a high price tag, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). While policies have improved air quality overall, air pollution is still the...
View ArticleIndustrial air pollution has high economic cost
Air pollution from Europe's largest industrial facilities cost society at least €59 billion, and possibly as much as €189 billion in 2012, according to an assessment published today by the European...
View ArticleEurope's environment 2015: Future prosperity depends on bolder steps in...
Europe's environment and climate policies have delivered substantial benefits, improving the environment and quality of life, while driving innovation, job creation and growth. Despite these gains,...
View ArticleEuropeans continue enjoying high-quality bathing waters
Ninety-five per cent of the monitored bathing sites in the European Union met minimum standards for water quality in 2014. Water quality was excellent at 83 % of the sites, an increase of almost 1...
View ArticleEurope’s seas: productive, but not healthy or clean
The European Union’s Blue Growth agenda aims to harness further the potential of Europe’s oceans, seas and coasts for jobs, economic value and sustainability. A new report published today by the...
View ArticleClimate change: EU shows leadership ahead of Paris with 23% emissions cut
The European Union is on track towards meeting and overachieving its 2020 target for reducing greenhouse emissions by 20%, according to a report published today by the European Environment Agency...
View ArticleMany Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution
Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe. It shortens people’s lifespan and contributes to serious illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer. A new...
View ArticleForty years of investments have improved Europe’s bathing water
The European Union’s efforts to ensure clean and healthy bathing water began forty years ago when the first Bathing Water Directive was issued. The annual bathing water report published today proves...
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