Press room

Europe leads the fight against climate change: The Earth is rapidly getting warmer, threatening serious and even catastrophic disruption to our societies and to the natural environment on which we depend. Over the course of the 20th century the average temperature increased by around 0.6 C globally, by almost 1 C in Europe and by no less than 5 C in the Arctic. This man-made warming is already having many disruptive effects around the globe. Sea levels are rising as a result of melting glaciers and ice sheets, threatening to flood low-lying communities. Extreme weather conditions; floods, droughts, storms are becoming more severe, more frequent and more costly in some parts of the world. And many endangered species may be pushed to extinction over the coming decades as climate change affects their traditional habitats.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Reducing climate impacts from international aviation: Europe leads the way: The European Commission is proposing legislation to bring the aviation sector into the European Union's pioneering emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) in order to control the rapid growth in CO2 emissions from air travel. Until now airlines have not been subject to the constraints on energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions that other businesses have to live with. Emissions from domestic flights are covered by the Kyoto Protocol's emission targets for developed countries, but international aviation - which makes up the vast majority of flights - is not. In addition, jet fuel for international flights has historically been exempted from taxation. Hence the need for policy action.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Climate change mitigation - Drivers and pressures (Finland): Climate change mitigation - Drivers and Pressures
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Finland
Climate change mitigation - Outlook 2020 (Finland): Climate change mitigation - Outlook
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Finland
How does the emission trading scheme work?: Emission trading scheme? Cap and trade? What do these words mean? And how does it all contribute to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases? This animation shows how the scheme works.
Located in Multimedia centre
Deep 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 Kyoto Protocol. Austria, Denmark and Italy, however, need to step up their current efforts until 2012 to ensure that their contribution to the common EU-15 target is delivered. The EEA report also shows that EU-27 is well on track towards achieving its 20 % reduction target by 2020.
Located in Press room › News
EU greenhouse gases in 2011: more countries on track to meet Kyoto targets, emissions fall 2.5 %: 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 track towards their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol compared to last year, according to two reports published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Located in Press room › News
Climate change mitigation - National Responses (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2011 - Tracking progress towards Kyoto and 2020 targets: This report presents an overview of the progress achieved so far by the EU, its Member States and other EEA member countries towards their respective targets under the Kyoto Protocol and the EU burden-sharing agreement, as well as 2020 targets set at EU level. The assessment is based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data in Europe for the period 2008–2010, including recent EEA estimates of proxy 2010 GHG emissions.
Located in Publications
COP 15, the future decided now: The climate meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009 is a crucial step in a process dating back to 1992 and the UN's 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro. Called 'COP15' for short, it will be the most important global climate change meeting ever.
Located in Multimedia centre