Highlights

Water management in Europe faces rising challenges as ecosystems weaken

Arthur Girling — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Water pollution and excessive water use are still harming ecosystems, which are indispensable to Europe’s food, energy, and water supplies. To maintain water ecosystems, farming, planning, energy and transport sectors need to actively engage in managing water within sustainable limits.

ECRINS map project pinpoints water information in Europe

Marie Jaegly — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0200

Europe’s freshwater supplies are under pressure. To improve the understanding and management of water resources, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has created a comprehensive series of map layers showing hydrological features. The tool, providing support to policy makers, spans river catchments from Iceland to the edge of the Persian Gulf.

Rio+20 agreement - a modest step in the right direction

Arthur Girling — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:05:00 +0200

At last week’s Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, delegates did not agree to any ambitious treaties or deadlines for dealing with pressing issues such as climate change, food and water scarcity. However, there were many positive signs for the future global environment.

Rio+20 – time to rethink the way we use natural resources

Arthur Girling — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:00:00 +0200

This week the Rio de Janeiro summit on sustainable development will open. Rio+20 is an opportunity to look back at changes in our environment since the first Earth Summit in 1992, and also a time to look to the future, re-evaluating the way our economies and our societies depend on the environment and natural resources.

European consumption still highly unsustainable, despite efficiency gains

Arthur Girling — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:30:00 +0200

Humanity’s growing appetite for bigger houses, overseas travel, food and consumer goods is the main cause of our most pressing environmental problems, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which considers the links between the environment and consumption.

Europe's demand for resources reaching far beyond its borders

Arthur Girling — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:00 +0200

Demand for materials is so intense that between 20 and 30 % of the resources we use in Europe are now imported. With the boom in international trade, EU consumption and production damage ecosystems and human health far beyond Europe’s borders, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Building the future we want – new report launched on World Environment Day

Arthur Girling — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:00:00 +0200

While much of Europe is still suffering the effects of economic recession, a new report argues that efforts to increase prosperity should not damage the environment. Indeed, Europe’s economy depends on a healthy environment, including the materials and services provided by the natural world, according to the new edition of Signals from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Do we live in a 'green economy'? New report assesses progress in Europe

Arthur Girling — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 +0200

Despite progress in some areas, Europe must do more to create the 'green economy' needed for the continent to become sustainable, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Water: how can we account for our most vital resource?

Arthur Girling — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:20:00 +0200

The world is entering a period of growing water scarcity: by 2030, global demand for fresh water could outstrip supply by more than 40 % if water is used in the same way that it is today. These stark figures are the background to a new report from the International Resource Panel, a group of natural resources experts hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Unsustainable consumption – the mother of all environmental issues?

Arthur Girling — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Consumption of products and services impacts the environment in many different ways. For example, the things we buy contribute, directly or indirectly through the product lifecycle, to climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and resource depletion in Europe and other regions.

Recycling industry can boost the European economy

Arthur Girling — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:15:00 +0100

Recycling has multiple benefits for many areas of the economy – providing raw materials, creating jobs and encouraging business opportunities and innovation. These economic benefits of recycling are examined in a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report considers the recycling industry in the context of building a 'green economy', a major European policy objective.

From efficient water use to quitting fossil fuels – survey shows different approaches to resource efficiency across Europe

Arthur Girling — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0200

Resource efficiency is a policy priority for Europe. However, across the region there are many different approaches to ‘doing more with less’, as shown by a survey of countries’ policies, carried out by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Hazardous substances in Europe’s fresh and marine waters – an overview

Arthur Girling — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:00:00 +0200

Hazardous substances in fresh and marine water can harm aquatic life and pose a risk to human health, according to a new report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report notes that while European legislation to address the issue is relatively strong, new challenges exist including ‘emerging pollutants’ where potential effects are not yet fully understood. More effort is also needed to ensure that chemicals are produced and used more sustainably.

Environment Commissioner and Danish Minister meet 80,000 workers at the EEA

Arthur Girling — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:30:00 +0200

The bees living on the roof of the European Environment Agency (EEA) received some special guests today, when European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Danish Environment Minister Karen Ellemann visited their hives. The two policy makers joined EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade in harvesting the first batch of honey.

Taking stock of our resource use on World Environment Day – 5 June 2011

Arthur Girling — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0200

Humans are consuming the world’s limited resources at increasingly rapid rate, and Europe is particularly reliant on imported goods to sustain its high levels of consumption. On World Environment Day, the European Environment Agency (EEA) draws attention to Europe’s resource use and offers tips to reduce it.