next
previous
items
European Union flag
Home
Topics
Analysis and data
Countries
Newsroom
About us

The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis

Change language
Publication Created 19 Oct 2010 Published 22 Nov 2010
2 min read
This is an old version, kept for reference only.

 Go to latest version
Note: new versions are available!
Cover Image
The SOER 2010 Synthesis provides an overview of the European environment's state, trends and prospects, integrating the main findings of SOER 2010.
Downloading: PDF document icon SOER-2010-Synthesis-EN-final-web-single-pages-new.pdf — PDF document, 16.81 MB (17622578 bytes)
Change language
Publication Created 19 Oct 2010 Published 22 Nov 2010
2 min read
This is an old version, kept for reference only.

 Go to latest version
State of the environment report No 1/2010
The SOER 2010 Synthesis provides an overview of the European environment's state, trends and prospects, integrating the main findings of SOER 2010.

Download

See additional files

Order information

Order a printed copy on the EU Publications website

: 978-92-9213-114-2
: TH-31-10-694-EN-C

Read as Ebook: .epub or .mobi (kindle format)

Additional Files

See older versions.

Related content

Figures used

Development of Ecological Footprint and Available Biocapacity per capita in EEA Member Countries The ecological footprint is a measure of the area needed to support a population's lifestyle. This includes the consumption of food, fuel, wood, and fibres. Pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions, is also counted as part of the footprint. Biocapacity measures how biologically productive land is. It is measured in 'global hectares': a hectare with the world average biocapacity. Biologically productive land includes cropland, pasture, forests and fisheries
Archived
Status of fish stocks in International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) fishing regions of Europe The map shows the status of the fish stocks in ICES and GFCM fishing regions of Europe in 2008. Status of fish stocks was assessed in 2009 (ICES) and from 2002-2009 (GFCM), although data refers to 2008 in the ICES regions and 2005 in the GFCM regions.
Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 by sector in 2008, and changes between 1990 and 2008 The figures shows the total greenhouse (GHG) emissions in the EU-27 by sector and the changes between 1990 and 2008
Archived
Domestic GHG emissions in EU-15 and EU-27 between 1990 and 2008 The figure shows the trends in EU greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990/base year
Past and projected global surface temperature change (relative to 1980–1999), based on multi‑model averages for selected IPCC scenarios The figure shows the past and projected change in global surface temperatures. If global greenhouse gas emissions would not be reduced, the 2°C target will be exceeded towards the middle of the 21st century. The horizontal 2°C target line takes into account warming of about 0.6 °C from pre-industrial to 1990. “Likely” ranges in average 2090-2099 warming for all six IPCC scenarios are shown on the right
Archived
EU-27 physical trade balance with the rest of the world, 2008 This figure shows 2008 total imports and exports of the EU27 with the rest of the world in physical terms. There is a massive asymmetry in trade between EU-27 and the rest of the world in the category of ‘Fuels and mining products’. EU imported in 2008 over six times more resources than it exported.
Trends in the use of material resources in EU-15 and EU-12 and municipal waste generation in EU‑27 compared with GDP and population These graphs show the trends in the use of material resources in EU-15 and EU-12 and municipal waste generation in EU‑27 compared with GDP and population.
Intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply, 1990–2005 This graph shows the intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply — 32 EEA member countries, 1990–2005.
Intensity of forestry — net harvesting rate in 2005 This map shows the intensity of forestry - net harvesting rate in 2005.
Resource use per person, by country, 2000 and 2007 This graph shows the resource use per person, by country in 2000 and 2007.
Regional variation in wastewater treatment between 1990 and 2007 This figure illustrates the percentage population per European region connected to an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant over the period 1990 to 2007.
Estimated global warming at which the onset of the events could occur versus their impact Temperature increase (above 1990 level) at which the various events could occur and an estimate of their impact. The impact scale has subjective qualifications (‘minor’, ‘notable’, ‘major’ and ‘devastating’), which were assigned on the basis of the geographical scale (from ‘regional’ to ‘continental’ and ‘global’) and the character of the damages (‘light’, ‘moderate’, ‘heavy’ or ‘extreme’). The level of scientific understanding, as well as the understanding of possible impacts for most of these events is low. The shapes and sizes of the ovals do not represent uncertainties in impact and temperature onset of eventualities and these uncertainties may be significant.
Estimated years of life lost (YOLL) in reference year 2005 attributable to long-term PM2.5 exposure Health impact caused by expsore to PM2.5
Archived
Percentage of green urban areas in core cities This map shows the percentage of green urban areas in core cities
Greenhouse gas emissions as tonnes CO2-equivalent per person by country in 2008 The figure show the greenhouse gas emissions as tonnes CO2 - equivalent per person by country
Archived
Share of Renewable Energy to Final Energy Consumption with normalised for hydro, EU27 Share of Renewable Energy to Final Energy Consumption with normalised for hydro, EU27. In 2009 the European Commission adopted a new directive on renewable energy (2009/28/EC). The new Directive on renewable energy sets an ambitious target for the EU-27 of 20% share of energy from renewable sources in final energy consumption by 2020 and a 10% share of renewable energy in the transport sector (in each Member State). The 2008 data update will include revised methodology.
Potential climatic tipping elements Tipping elements are regional-scale features of the climate that could exhibit threshold-type behaviour in response to human-driven climate change – that is, a small amount of climate change at a critical point could trigger an abrupt and/or irreversible shift in the tipping element. The consequences of such shifts for societies and ecosystems are likely to be severe. Question marks indicate systems whose status as tipping elements is particularly uncertain. There are other potential tipping elements that are missing from the map, for example shallow-water coral reefs (Veron et al. 2009) threatened in part by ocean acidification
Archived
Growth in the productivity of labour, energy and materials, EU-15 and EU-12 This figure shows the development of labour productivity, material productivity, and energy productivity in EU15 and EU12.
Archived
Key past and projected impacts and effects of climate change for the main biogeographical regions of Europe -
European land cover in 2006, main land-cover categories of Europe -
Exceedances of critical loads for eutrophication due to the deposition of nutrient nitrogen in 2000 and 2010 The maps shows the exceedances of critical loads for eutrophication due to the deposition of nutrient N in the 2000 and 2010
Occurrence of major floods in Europe Occurrence of major floods in Europe (1998–2009)
Reported noise exposure of more than 55 dB Lden in European agglomerations with more than 250 000 inhabitants based on the results of strategic noise mapping The figure shows the reported long-term (yearly) average exposure to day-evening-night noise of more than 55 dB in EU-27 agglomerations with more than 250 000 inhabitants
Global extraction of natural resources from ecosystems and mines, 1980 to 2005/2007 -
Growth of GDP per capita in the EU-27, USA, China, India and Japan, 1980 to 2008 -
Global human appropriation of net primary production This map shows human-appropriated net primary production (HANPP) as a percentage of potential net primary production (NPP)
Projected shares of global middle-income class consumption, 2000 to 2050 The figure shows the projected shares of global middle-income class consumption
Archived
Main drought events in Europe, 2000–2009 The map shows the main drought events in Europe
Conservation status of assessed habitats in EU‑25 - Annex I to the Habitats Directive includes a wide variety of habitats which are divided into nine groups of related habitat types such as forests and grassland. - Between these groups, dune habitats, grasslands and bogs, mires and fens have the worst conservation status.
Archived
Percentage of municipal waste landfilled in EEA countries, 2003 and 2008; and development of municipal waste management in EU-27, 1995 to 2008 -
Archived
Ecological footprint compared with biocapacity (left), and different components of the footprint (right) in EEA countries, 1961–2006 The ecological footprint is a measure of the area needed to support a population's lifestyle. This includes the consumption of food, fuel, wood, and fibres. Pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions, is also counted as part of the footprint. Biocapacity measures how biologically productive land is. It is measured in 'global hectares': a hectare with the world average biocapacity. Biologically productive land includes cropland, pasture, forests and fisheries
Net land-cover changes 2000–2006 in Europe – total area change in hectares and percentage change The figure shows the net land-cover changes 2000–2006 in Europe, total area change in hectares and percentage change.
Life expectancy and healthy life years at birth in EU-27, Iceland and Norway in 2007, by gender -
Approximate distribution of HNV farmland in EU-27 -
Number of undernourished in the world; percentage of undernourished in developing countries, 1969 to 2009 -
Conservation status of assessed species in EU-25, by taxonomic group -
Archived
Percentage of urban population resident in areas where pollutant concentrations are higher than selected limit/target values, EEA member countries, 1997-2008 The rationale for selection of pollutant and corresponding limit/target values for CSI 004 is given in the justification for indicator selection. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey are not included due to the geographical coverage of the Urban Audit and/or lack of air quality data.
Share of green urban areas in European cities, 2006 Cities are core cities following the Urban Audit definition (Eurostat, 2010). In most cases the delineation of the core city matches the urban built-up area. But in some cases the delineation also includes substantial areas outside the urban built-up areas (parts of the urban fringe and hinterland); in other cases, it includes only city centres
Forest utilisation rate in 2005 (annual increment in growing stock as a percentage of annual felling) for countries in the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) This map shows the forest utilisation rate in 2005 (annual increment in growing stock as a percentage of annual felling) for countries in the MCPFE

News and articles

The European environment – state and outlook 2010 SOER 2010 provides a set of assessments of the current state of Europe's environment, its likely future state, what is being done and what could be done to improve it, how global megatrends might affect future trends… and more.
Land use conflicts necessitate integrated policy Demand for land in Europe is high. Food and biomass production, housing, infrastructure and recreation all compete for space, with impacts on our climate, biodiversity and ecosystem services. In a recent assessment, the European Environment Agency (EEA) analyses land use change in Europe, concluding that we need an integrated policy approach based on reliable data to balance sectoral demands and manage land sustainably.
Butterflies or business - Europe can have both! The European Environment Agency (EEA) released today its fourth Environment State and Outlook report — SOER 2010 — a comprehensive assessment of how and why Europe’s environment is changing, and what we are doing about it. SOER 2010 concludes that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource-efficient green economy can not only result in a healthy environment, but also boost prosperity and social cohesion.

Related briefings

Related publications

The European environment — state and outlook 2020 Knowledge for transition to a sustainable Europe
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.
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.
Understanding climate change — SOER 2010 thematic assessment Average global air and ocean temperatures are rising, leading to the melting of snow and ice and rising global mean sea level. Ocean acidification results from higher CO2 concentrations. With unabated greenhouse gas emissions, climate change could lead to an increasing risk of irreversible shifts in the climate system with potentially serious consequences. Temperature rises of more than 1.5–2 °C above pre-industrial levels are likely to cause major societal and environmental disruptions in many regions. The atmospheric CO2 concentration needs to be stabilised at 350–400 parts per million (ppm) in order to have a 50 % chance of limiting global mean temperature increase to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels (according to the IPCC in 2007, and confirmed by later scientific insights).
SOER 2010 — assessment of global megatrends This exploratory assessment of global megatrends relevant for the European environment focuses on the impact of major global trends on Europe. A global-to-European perspective is relevant for European environmental policymaking because Europe's environmental challenges and management options are being reshaped by global drivers such as demographics, technologies, trade patterns and consumption. The assessment provides analysis of 11 relevant megatrends, summarises the links between megatrends and Europe's priority environmental challenges, and reflects on possible implications for policymaking.
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.
Consumption and the environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment The consumption of goods and services in EEA member countries is a major driver of global resource use and associated environmental impacts. Growth in global trade is resulting in an increasing share of environmental pressures and impacts from European consumption taking place beyond Europe. Food and drink, housing, mobility and tourism are responsible for a large part of the pressures and impacts caused by consumption in the EU. Achieving significant reductions in environmental pressures and impacts will require changing private and public consumption patterns, to supplement gains achieved through better technology and improved production processes.
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.
Freshwater quality — SOER 2010 thematic assessment The continuing presence of a range of pollutants in a number of Europe's freshwaters threatens aquatic ecosystems and raises concerns for public health. Current reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive shows that a substantial proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the aim of 'good status' by 2015. Driven by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater in some regions of Europe have led to a reduction in the discharge of some pollutants to fresh and coastal waters. Challenges remain, however, because UWWTD implementation remains incomplete and other significant sources of water pollution exist, especially agriculture and urban storm flows. The implementation of effective and timely measures, required under the WFD, needs to encompass a greater focus on controls 'at source' and the efficient use of resources including water, energy and chemicals.
Water resources: quantity and flows - SOER 2010 thematic assessment Europe's freshwaters are affected by water scarcity, droughts, floods and physical modifications. Many water bodies are at risk of failing to meet the aim of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good status by 2015. Future policies should encourage demand management through actions such as increasing water efficiency. In addition, water management will benefit from applying an ecosystems perspective, using floodplains and groundwater aquifers for storing water, and making room (space) for rivers.
Material resources and waste — SOER 2010 thematic assessment The European economy needs huge amounts of resources to function. Apart from consuming minerals, metals, concrete and wood, Europe burns fossil fuels and uses land to satisfy the needs of its citizens. Demand for materials is so intense that between 20 and 30 % of the resources we use are now imported. At the other end of the materials chain, the EU economy generates around six tons of waste per person every year. With the boom in international trade, EU consumption and production may potentially damage ecosystems and human health not only within but also far beyond its borders.
Soil — SOER 2010 thematic assessment Nearly all of the food and fibres used by humans are produced on soil. Soil is also essential for water and ecosystem health. It is second only to the oceans as a global carbon sink, with an important role in the potential slowing of climate change. Soil functions depend on a multitude of soil organisms which makes it an important part of our biodiversity. Nevertheless, soil in many parts of Europe is being over-exploited, degraded and irreversibly lost due to impacts from industrial activities and land use change, leading to soil sealing, contamination, erosion and loss of organic carbon. Due to these problems, legislation for the protection of soils has been proposed at EU level.
Biodiversity — SOER 2010 thematic assessment Biodiversity — the variety of ecosystems, species and genes — is essential to human wellbeing, delivering services that sustain our economies and societies. Its huge importance makes biodiversity loss all the more troubling. European species are threatened with extinction and overexploitation. Natural habitats continue to be lost and fragmented, and degraded by pollution and climate change. Despite actions taken and progress made, these threats continue to impact biodiversity in Europe. The new global and EU targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2020 are ambitious but achieving them will require better policy implementation, coordination across sectors, ecosystem management approaches and a wider understanding of biodiversity's value.
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.
Mitigating climate change - SOER 2010 thematic assessment The EU emitted close to 5 billion tonnes (Gt) of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2008. It contributes today around 12 % of annual global anthropogenic direct greenhouse gas emissions. The EU is making good progress towards achieving its emission reduction targets. A rapid, sustained and effective transition to a low carbon economy is necessary to mitigate climate change and to meet global greenhouse gas emission targets.

See also

Permalinks

Geographic coverage

For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/2010/synthesis/synthesis or scan the QR code.

PDF generated on 18 Apr 2024, 04:13 PM

EEA Page URL QR
Document Actions
The EEA is an agency of the European Union

Engineered by: EEA Web Team

Software updated on 26 September 2023 08:13 from version 23.8.18

Software version: EEA Plone KGS 23.9.14

Code for developers

Systems Status

Legal notice

Creative commons license

CMS login