News —

Write to us

For the public:

For media and journalists:

Contact EEA staff

Contact the web team

FAQ

50 years of protecting Europe's environment: Today the European Union has the most environmentally friendly arsenal of rules in the world and has done more to tackle pressing ecological problems, such as climate change, than any other major power. But it has not always been like this. Caring for the environment did not feature in the Treaty of Rome, the document that gave birth to the modern day EU. Yet environmental problems were never far away. Europe’s love affair with the car was moving into top gear, industry was busy belching out pollutants and raw sewage was being pumped into our rivers and seas.
Located in Environmental topics › Policy instruments › Multimedia
Adapting to climate change - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Climate change is happening and will continue to have far-reaching consequences for human and natural systems. Impacts and vulnerabilities differ considerably across regions, territories and economic sectors in Europe. Strategies to adapt to climate change are necessary to manage impacts even if global temperature stays below a 2 °C increase above the pre-industrial level. The EU adaptation framework aims at developing a comprehensive strategy by 2013, to be supported by a clearinghouse for sharing and maintaining information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Agriculture and environment in EU-15 - the IRENA indicator report: Located in Publications
Air pollution — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Emissions of air pollutants derive from almost all economic and societal activities. They result in clear risks to human health and ecosystems. In Europe, policies and actions at all levels have greatly reduced anthropogenic emissions and exposure but some air pollutants still harm human health. Similarly, as emissions of acidifying pollutants have reduced, the situation for Europe's rivers and lakes has improved but atmospheric nitrogen oversupply still threatens biodiversity in sensitive terrestrial and water ecosystems. The movement of atmospheric pollution between continents attracts increasing political attention. Greater international cooperation, also focusing on links between climate and air pollution policies, is required more than ever to address air pollution.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Annual European Community greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2004 and inventory report 2006: Located in Publications
Annual European Community greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2007 and inventory report 2009: The present inventory also constitutes the EU‑15 voluntary submission under the Kyoto Protocol.
Located in Publications
Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2009 and inventory report 2011: This report is the annual submission of the greenhouse gas inventory of the European Union to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. It presents greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2009 for EU-27, EU-15, individual Member States and economic sector.
Located in Publications
Average annual changes in fire danger level 1958-2006: Based on use of Seasonal Severity Rating (SSR)
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Better management of municipal waste will reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Located in Publications
Briefing 1/2007 - Climate change and water adaptation issues: Located in Publications