Publications

Urban world: Did you know? A city affects a large area outside its own boundaries. For example, London alone is thought to need an area of almost 300 times its geographical size to satisfy its demands and to dispose of its waste and emissions. (SOER 2010)
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Land use — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Land use shapes our environment in positive and negative ways. Productive land is a critical resource for food and biomass production and land use strongly influences soil erosion and soil functions such as carbon storage. Land management largely determines the beauty of Europe's landscapes. It is important therefore to monitor land cover and land-use change through tools such as Corine land cover. Data on land-cover change in Europe from 2000–2006 show that growth in built-up areas and forest land leads to a continued loss of agricultural land. In turn, global economic and environmental change will increasingly influence the way Europeans use land (e.g. as communities work to mitigate and adapt to climate change). Policy responses are needed to help resolve conflicting land-use demands and to guide land-use intensity to support environmental land management.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The global population is congregating in our cities. Eighty per cent of the world’s estimated nine billion people in 2050 are expected to live in urban areas. Our cities and urban areas face many challenges from social to health to environmental. The impacts of cities and urban areas are felt in other regions which supply cities with food, water and energy and absorb pollution and waste. However, the proximity of people, businesses and services associated with the very word ‘city’ means that there are also huge opportunities. Indeed, well designed, well managed urban settings offer a key opportunity for sustainable living.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Marine and coastal environment — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: European marine regions include the north-east Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and the Mediterranean, Black and Baltic seas. Human activities — such as fishing, aquaculture and agriculture — and climate change cause large and severe impacts on Europe's coastal and marine ecosystems. The EU objective of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met in either the coastal or the marine environment. Recognising the need for an integrated ecosystem-based approach to reduce pressures, the EU Integrated Maritime Policy allows for the development of sea-related activities in a sustainable manner. Its environmental pillar, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, aims to deliver 'good environmental status' of the marine environment by 2020, and the Common Fisheries Policy will be reformed in 2012 with the aim of achieving sustainable fisheries. Complementary policy efforts include the EU Water Framework Directive and other freshwater legislation, and the Habitats and Birds Directives.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Land use - Drivers and pressures (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Land use - Drivers and pressures (Belgium): Residential area and number of households in Belgium
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Belgium › Land use - Drivers and pressures (Belgium)
Land use - Drivers and pressures (Belgium): Built-up area components in Belgium
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Belgium › Land use - Drivers and pressures (Belgium)
Land use - Drivers and pressures (Belgium): What are the related key drivers and pressures at national level?
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Belgium
National and regional story (Belgium) - Increased transport flows and no room for new transport infrastructure: Urbanisation and transport in the Flemish Region of Belgium
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Belgium
Country profile - (Belgium): Urbanisation in Belgium
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Belgium › Country profile - (Belgium)