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4.7 Global impacts from EU consumption

This briefing looks at the global impacts associated with EU product and service consumption. These environmental and climate impacts (such as climate change, resource depletion and air pollution) are aggregated into a single score. These impacts might occur within or outside the EU, depending on where production takes place for the products and services consumed within the bloc. The aggregated impact score can be separated into individual impact scores for specific consumption areas like housing, food, household goods and personal mobility.

Global and European temperatures

Global mean temperature between 2015 and 2024 was 1.24 to 1.28°C warmer than the pre-industrial level, which makes it the warmest decade on record. European land temperatures have increased even faster over the same period by 2.19 to 2.26°C, depending on the dataset used. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change member countries have committed to a global temperature increase limit well below 2°C above the pre-industrial level, and aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Without drastic cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions, the 2°C limit is likely to be exceeded before 2050.

Extreme sea levels and coastal flooding in Europe

Extreme sea levels have increased at many locations along European coastlines, due to increases in mean local sea levels. These ongoing increases will amplify the frequency of 1-in-100 years historical extreme events, by exposing most locations to critical conditions already with a sea level rise value above 10cm. In the absence of better coastal protection, the projected sea level rise would increase the frequency of extreme high coastal water levels by a factor of 10 in most European coastlines prior to 2050, with differences depending on the location and the future climate scenario.

Preventing cardiovascular disease through a healthy environment

This briefing provides information about how environmental factors contribute to cardiovascular disease in Europe. It also identifies how policies can help alleviate the problem. It is based on data compiled by the EEA and intends to inform discussions about the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Arctic and Baltic sea ice

Arctic sea ice is rapidly declining. On average, the Arctic has lost an area of 71,000km 2 of sea ice per year in summer and 31,000km 2 per year in winter since 1979. The Arctic sea ice area for summer 2025 was the second lowest ever and sea ice is becoming younger and thinner. An almost ice-free Arctic sea in summer is projected to be a rare event for 1.5°C of global warming but will be the norm for 2.5°C warming. Since about 1800, the maximum sea ice extent in the Baltic Sea shows a decreasing trend, and reached its lowest value ever in the winter of 2019/20. This decreasing trend is projected to continue.

Hydrofluorocarbon phase out in Europe

Following two decades of fluctuation, European Union emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) peaked in 2014. They have since fallen by about 38% (by 2023). This can largely be attributed to the EU-wide hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase out specified in the F-gas Regulation, which aims to reduce F-gas emissions and mitigate global warming. HFCs account for the majority of F-gas emissions and the EU is on track to meet its targets for HFC use. It is also on track to meet its international obligation to reduce HFC consumption, in effect since 2019, under the Montreal Protocol.

The environmental and climate benefits of a circular economy

This briefing estimates the potential environmental and climate benefits of 17 circular economy interventions, modelled across provisioning systems for food, housing, mobility and consumer goods. It indicates that more circularity would substantially contribute to the EU’s climate and environmental ambitions.

Global and European sea level rise

Global mean sea level (GMSL) has risen at an accelerating rate, by approximately 23cm since 1900. GMSL reached its highest value ever in 2024. GMSL will likely rise by 0.28-0.55m under a very low emissions scenario (SSP1-1.9) and 0.63-1.02m under a very high emissions scenario (SSP5-8.5) by 2100, relative to the 1995-2014 average. GMSL simulations that include the possibility of fast disintegration of the polar ice sheets project a rise of up to 5m by 2150. Most coastal regions in Europe have experienced an increase in sea level relative to land, except for the northern Baltic Sea coast.