Publications

Glaciers (CLIM 007) - Assessment published Nov 2012: The vast majority of glaciers in the European glacial regions are in retreat. Glaciers in the European Alps have lost approximately two thirds of their volume since 1850, with clear acceleration since the 1980s. Glacier retreat is expected to continue in the future. The volume of European glaciers has been estimated to decline between 22 and 66 % compared to the current situation by 2100 under a business-as-usual emission scenario. Glacier retreat contributes to sea-level rise and it affects freshwater supply and run off regimes, river navigation, irrigation and power generation. It may also cause natural hazards and damage to infrastructure.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Glaciers
Greenland ice sheet (CLIM 009) - Assessment published Nov 2012: The Greenland ice sheet is the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere and plays an important role in the cryosphere. It changed in the 1990s from being in near mass balance to losing about 100 billion tonnes of ice per year. Ice losses have since then more than doubled to 250 billion tonnes a year averaged over 2005 to 2009. The contribution of ice loss from the Greenland ice sheet to global sea-level rise is estimated at 0.14–0.28 mm/year for the period 1993–2003 and has since increased. The recent melting of the Greenland ice sheet is estimated to have contributed up to 0.7 mm a year to sea-level rise, which is approximately one quarter of the total sea-level rise of about 3.1 mm/year. Model projections suggest further declines of the Greenland ice sheet in the future but the processes determining the rate of change are still poorly understood.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Greenland ice sheet
Probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas: The figure shows the probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas during the 21st century estimated using a probabilistic projection of climate change for the SRES A1B scenario
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Consumption and the environment — 2012 update: Update to the European Environment State and Outlook 2010 (SOER 2010) thematic assessment
Located in Publications
Trend in yearly cumulated melting area of the Greenland ice sheet: The figure shows the change in yearly cumulated area of the Greenland ice sheet and it's melt during the period 1979 to 2011 in percentage relative to area in 1979=100. The linear trend 1979–2011 is included.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Projected changes in the volume of all mountain glaciers and ice caps in the European glaciated regions: This figure shows the projected volume (in cubic km) for 2001–2100 of all mountain glaciers and ice caps in the European glaciated regions derived using a mass balance model driven with temperature and precipitation scenarios from 10 GCMs. European Alps (top left), Scandinavia (top right), Iceland (bottom left), Svalbard (bottom right).
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Environmental indicator report 2012: Reliable, relevant, targeted and timely environmental information is an essential element in implementing environmental policy and management processes. Such information can come in many formats — with indicators being a long-established approach to distilling detailed information into trends that are robust and easily understandable by a broad audience.
Located in Publications
Annual temperature changes for 2021-2050: Projected changes in annual mean surface temperature (in K) under A1B scenario, multi-model ensemble mean for the time period 2021-2050 relative to 1961-1990 mean. Map presents changes using ensemble mean of several regional climate models (RCMs), run by different climate modelling communities in the frame of the EU FP6 Integrated Project ENSEMBLES (Contract number 505539). Data are presented as changes in relative terms (according to 1961-1990 period) in spatial resolution of approximately 25 km.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Interactive maps and data viewers
Population statistics (Eurostat): Eurostat Statistic data on population, includes: Demographic data Demographic indicators Statistics on the population and housing censuses Population projections Migration and citizenship Residence permits Asylum statistics Statistics on the enforcement of immigration legislation
Located in Data and maps › Datasets › External datasets catalogue
Key message 2 — SOER synthesis: Climate change — The EU has reduced its greenhouse gas emission and is on track to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments. However, global and European cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are far from sufficient to keep average world temperature increases below 2 °C. Greater efforts are needed to mitigate the effects of climate change and put in place adaptation measures to increase Europe's resilience.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis › Key messages