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Can we save energy by changing our behaviour? — Apr 09, 2013: In 2010, European households consumed almost 13 % more energy than two decades ago and generated 25 % of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. This trend must be reversed for the EU to reach its goal of reducing primary energy consumption by 20 % by 2020. Today, the European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes a report which investigates what it takes to achieve energy savings through changing consumer behaviour and launches an online survey to know more about society's views on the topic.
Households and industry responsible for half of EU greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels — Dec 20, 2012: Households and industry in the EU each cause approximately a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The two sectors were largely responsible for the emissions increase in 2010, together leading to an additional 90 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 2009.
EU greenhouse gases in 2011: more countries on track to meet Kyoto targets, emissions fall 2.5 % — Oct 24, 2012: 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).
Higher EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 due to economic recovery and cold winter — May 30, 2012: Greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2010, as a result of both economic recovery in many countries after the 2009 recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless, emissions growth was somewhat contained by continued strong growth in renewable energy sources. These figures from the greenhouse gas inventory published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today confirm earlier EEA estimates.
Homes responsible for one quarter of European greenhouse emissions from energy — Dec 15, 2011: Home energy use is responsible overall for 25 % of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU), according to a new analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report calculates emissions based on their 'end use', or the sector using the energy. Homes in the EU only emit 12 % of energy emissions directly, but this doubles when related emissions from power plants and district heating are factored in.
Huge renewable energy growth this decade, if EU countries meet projections — Nov 28, 2011: Offshore wind energy capacity in Europe is projected to increase 17-fold between 2010 and 2020, while newer renewable technologies such as concentrated solar power and wave/tidal power will also increase more than 11-fold according to projections. European countries are also expected to significantly boost solar photovoltaic power, onshore wind and other renewable technologies over the next decade.
EU greenhouse gas emissions estimated to increase in 2010, but long-term decrease expected to continue — Oct 07, 2011: The European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite a 2.4 % emissions increase in 2010, according to first estimates by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The 2010 increase follows a 7 % drop in 2009, largely due to the economic recession and growth of renewable energy generation.
Recession and renewables cut greenhouse emissions in 2009 — May 31, 2011: Greenhouse gas emissions decreased very sharply in 2009, by 7.1 % in the EU-27 and 6.9 % in the EU-15. These most recent results, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), confirm estimates made by the EEA last year. This decrease was largely the result of the economic recession of 2009, but also sustained strong growth in renewable energy.
Nuclear accident in Japan: where to get up-to-date information — Apr 15, 2011: Following the massive earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, a number of explosions and fires took place at the reactor buildings of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Japan declared a state of alert and reported leaks of radioactive material. Given the magnitude and the global dimension of the disaster, Japanese authorities and the international community are following the situation very closely. A series of sources provide the public with up-to-date information on the accident's possible impacts on Europe's environment as well as radiation measurements across Europe.
Renewable energy production must grow fast to reach the 2020 target — Feb 02, 2011: Europe has committed to obtain 20 % of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. An analysis of the 27 EU Member State action plans shows that renewable energy output is projected to grow by 6 % per year on average. Wind power, solar electricity and biofuels are foreseen to contribute with the highest growth rates. If all Member States follow the trajectory outlined in their plans, the EU will exceed its 20 % renewable energy target by 0.7 percentage points.
Taking a closer look at Europe's renewable energy plans for 2020 — Sep 14, 2010: Europe is committed to obtaining 20 % of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. But how is the responsibility for reaching this common target shared among EU countries? And how will individual countries achieve their targets? The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides answers to such questions via a database, which facilitates the comparison of figures across technologies and between Member States.
Business as usual not an option for the energy system — Nov 20, 2008: 80 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe still come from the energy sector, warns a report from the European Environment Agency released today. The sector continues to have significant impacts on the environment, despite the fact that more efficient production of electricity and heat, together with an increased share of renewable energy sources and replacement of coal and oil with gas are gradually contributing to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutants in Europe.
How to optimise the use of bioenergy for Europe’s climate efforts — Nov 12, 2008: Bioenergy can substantially reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to achieving the EU's renewable energy target, says a new report by the European Environment Agency. Such benefits, however, can only be realised if policy and economic incentives are in place to minimise the potential negative impacts of bioenergy production.
High potential to cut air pollution from Europe's power plants — May 05, 2008: Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) from large combustion plants (LCP) could have been considerably lower in 2004, a report presented today by the European Environment Agency says.
EEA unveils preliminary EU inventory of greenhouse gas emissions — Apr 21, 2008: Provisional greenhouse gas emissions data compiled by the EEA show that EU-15 Member States reduced their emissions by 0.9 % between 2005 and 2006. EU-27 emissions are now 7.4 % below 1990 levels.
Sustainable use of forests is a must for halting biodiversity loss — Apr 14, 2008: Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, warned EU ministers of increasing demands on Europe's forest resources. She recommended a management approach taking into account the wide range of services provided by forests.
More transparent data on EU's greenhouse gas emissions — Apr 10, 2008: The European Environment Agency presented today a new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions viewer, where users can display emission data broken down by Member State, year and trading sector in a user-friendly interface. With this viewer, the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) data become significantly more accessible for a wide range of users.
Suspend 10 percent biofuels target, says EEA's scientific advisory body — Apr 10, 2008: The EEA Scientific Committee has made public an opinion on the environmental impacts of biofuel use in Europe. The Scientific Committee recommends a new, comprehensive scientific study on the environmental risks and benefits of biofuels, and that the EU target to increase the share of biofuels used in transport to 10 % by 2020 should therefore be suspended.
President Pöttering visits the EEA: climate change — a 'shared top priority' — Apr 02, 2008: The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, visited today the European Environment Agency, where he was welcomed by its Executive Director, Professor Jacqueline McGlade. President Pöttering had a short but lively discussion with the EEA's Management Board, chaired by Lars Erik Liljelund.
Greenhouse gases: Member States shaping up reporting under the Emission Trading Scheme — Mar 13, 2008: The European Union is running the largest multi-country, multi-sector greenhouse gas Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) world-wide. A report presented today by the European Environment Agency shows that the implementation of the ETS is improving. For the reporting year 2007, all Member States have delivered information on their experience in accordance with Article 21 of the Emissions Trading Directive.
Danish civil society debates EU climate proposals — Jan 31, 2008: Just a week after the launch in Brussels of the European Commission's climate change and energy package, EEA hosted a high-level debate with EU officials and representatives of the Danish industry and civil society organisations.
Getting the most out of Europe's bioenergy potential — Jan 29, 2008: A new report by the European Environment Agency confirms that there is a large potential for bioenergy production from agricultural biomass in Europe. However, the increasing demand for biofuels raises concerns about additional pressure on Europe’s environment and farmland biodiversity.
Climate action and renewable energy package a major step forward — Jan 24, 2008: Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency (EEA), highlights the importance of the Climate action and renewable energy package unveiled yesterday by the European Commission in Brussels.
Back to the future at Green Week 2007 — Jun 12, 2007: What will Europe’s society and environment look like some thirty years from now? The PRELUDE project, which attempts to go far beyond the perspective of two legislative cycles and explore this question, will feature prominently for the European Environment Agency at this year’s four-day EU ‘Green Week’ event in Brussels, starting today.
EU must take immediate action on Kyoto targets — Oct 27, 2006: All Member States must seriously tackle greenhouse gas emissions immediately, if the EU-15 is to meet its collective Kyoto target, a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report states.
Friends at the gates - Major success for EEA open house event. — Oct 20, 2006: Nearly a thousand Copenhageners visited the European Environment Agency when we stayed open to the public all evening during Copenhagen Culture night on the 13th October.
Get an energy boost at the EEA during Kulturnatten — Oct 10, 2006: Energy is the main theme as the EEA takes part in ‘Culture night’ (Kulturnatten) for the first time on Friday 13 October.
Europe's energy policies must be environmentally sound — Jun 27, 2006: Europe requires an integrated policy framework balancing the goals of energy security and competitiveness with environment policy, says a new report released today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), based in Copenhagen.
The dynamics of Europe's changing landscape - Essential information to thrive in today's changing world — Feb 15, 2005: Recent analyses by the EEA show that land is becoming a scarce resource: 800 000 ha of Europe's land cover was converted to artificial surfaces from 1990-2000. Only with careful spatial planning of urban and rural development can Europe avoid compromising its agricultural production, biodiversity, energy security and Kyoto targets and aspirations under the Lisbon agenda.
EU needs to set renewable energy targets for 2020, EEA head says — Jun 03, 2004: The European Union needs to set renewable energy targets for 2020 to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and give energy markets long-term investment security, Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency (EEA), said today.
EU energy sector makes insufficient progress in reducing its environmental impact — May 30, 2002: Energy consumption in the European Union is rising, mainly because of transport growth, energy efficiency is improving only slowly and renewable energies need to expand by at least double the current rate if targets for boosting their market shares by 2010 are to be reached
EEA highlights success stories in expanding renewable energy — Dec 06, 2001