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Certain European regions, such as the Arctic, Mediterranean, and Baltic, face environmental problems that are common throughout the region but far less known beyond its borders. Similarly, certain landscapes, such as mountain areas and seas, face common problems across Europe. More

Key facts and messages: The extent of Arctic summer sea ice has declined by about 10 % per decade since 1979. The extent of the minimum ice cover in September 2007 was half the size of the normal minimum extent in the 1950s; the third lowest minimum extent occurred in September 2010. The summer ice is also getting... more; Observed global mean sea level rise has accelerated over the past 15 years. From 2002 to 2009 the contributions of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets to sea level rise increased. In 2007 the IPCC projected a sea level rise of 0.18 to 0.59 m above the 1990 level by 2100 excluding the... more; The vast majority of glaciers in Europe are in retreat. Glaciers in the Alps lost about two-thirds of their volume between 1850 and 2009. The glacierised area in the Alps is projected to decrease to about one-third of the present area for a further rise in Alpine summer temperature of 2 °C. more; Recent research suggests that several key components of the climate system could undergo irreversible change at significantly lower levels of global temperature increase than previously assessed. The most important of these “tipping elements” for Europe are the Greenland ice sheet, Alpine... more; The third lowest minimum of Arctic summer sea ice occurred in September 2010. more

Subtopics

The pan-European environment

Europe must adapt to stay ahead of a changing climate

Apr 29, 2013

As Europe’s climate warms, wine producers in Europe may need to change the type of grapes they cultivate or the location of vineyards, even moving production to other areas in some cases. This is just one example of how Europe’s economy and society need to adapt to climate change, as examined in a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Greenland’s Health Ministry signs cooperation agreement with EEA

Jan 13, 2012

The Ministry of Health in Greenland has signed an agreement with the European Environment Agency (EEA). The two organisations committed to exchange personnel, and share knowledge, data and other expertise on environment-related health issues.

Assessing climate change impacts in the Pyrenees

Oct 27, 2011

Europe’s mountain regions may suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change. Increasing temperatures can change snow-cover patterns and lead to water shortages and other problems such as reduced ski tourism. Species may also face extinction if unable to move northward or uphill. To investigate these current and potential impacts in the Pyrenees, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Pyrenees Working Community (CTP) have recently signed an agreement to work together.

New film on waste management in Greenland

Oct 13, 2011

Dealing with large quantities of unwanted (and sometimes toxic) waste is often difficult – but it becomes even more complicated when people live in isolated communities, in extreme environments hundreds of kilometres from the nearest treatment plant. This is the subject of a new film considering waste management in Greenland, entitled ‘Mission Greenland – for a cleaner future’.

Environmental information network extends across Europe, Central Asia and Russian Federation

Sep 23, 2011

Government ministers and delegates from 53 countries agreed to extend the European network for sharing environmental information across the pan-European region. The commitment was made at the seventh Ministerial Environment for Europe summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, which concluded today.

Pan-European assessment asks: 'What do we know about water and green economy?'

Sep 21, 2011

Ministers will meet in Astana, Kazakhstan, today to discuss water issues and greening the economy at the seventh 'Environment for Europe' Ministerial Conference, running from 21 - 23 September 2011. To support the Conference, the European Environment Agency (EEA) is launching an innovative Assessment of Assessments report, which recommends ways that environmental information and policy making can be more closely aligned.

Greenland is stepping up its efforts to improve waste management

Jun 10, 2011

Reduce, reuse, recycle – the common mantra of waste management makes the process sound simple. But while these three ingredients may be the same, the recipe for sustainable waste management can be very different – and Greenland’s unique environment presents some considerable challenges.

EEA to enhance cooperation with Greenland

Nov 26, 2010

This week the Government of Greenland and the European Environment Agency signed an agreement aimed at improving bilateral cooperation in environmental monitoring and sharing environmental data and information. Environmental data obtained in Greenland and the Arctic in general play a key role in monitoring environmental change around the globe.

Europe must adapt to stay ahead of a changing climate As Europe’s climate warms, wine producers in Europe may need to change the type of grapes they cultivate or the location of vineyards, even moving production to other areas in some cases. This is just one example of how Europe’s economy and society need to adapt to climate change, as examined in a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Greenland’s Health Ministry signs cooperation agreement with EEA The Ministry of Health in Greenland has signed an agreement with the European Environment Agency (EEA). The two organisations committed to exchange personnel, and share knowledge, data and other expertise on environment-related health issues.

Assessing climate change impacts in the Pyrenees Europe’s mountain regions may suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change. Increasing temperatures can change snow-cover patterns and lead to water shortages and other problems such as reduced ski tourism. Species may also face extinction if unable to move northward or uphill. To investigate these current and potential impacts in the Pyrenees, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Pyrenees Working Community (CTP) have recently signed an agreement to work together.

New film on waste management in Greenland Dealing with large quantities of unwanted (and sometimes toxic) waste is often difficult – but it becomes even more complicated when people live in isolated communities, in extreme environments hundreds of kilometres from the nearest treatment plant. This is the subject of a new film considering waste management in Greenland, entitled ‘Mission Greenland – for a cleaner future’.

Environmental information network extends across Europe, Central Asia and Russian Federation Government ministers and delegates from 53 countries agreed to extend the European network for sharing environmental information across the pan-European region. The commitment was made at the seventh Ministerial Environment for Europe summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, which concluded today.

Pan-European assessment asks: 'What do we know about water and green economy?' Ministers will meet in Astana, Kazakhstan, today to discuss water issues and greening the economy at the seventh 'Environment for Europe' Ministerial Conference, running from 21 - 23 September 2011. To support the Conference, the European Environment Agency (EEA) is launching an innovative Assessment of Assessments report, which recommends ways that environmental information and policy making can be more closely aligned.

Greenland is stepping up its efforts to improve waste management Reduce, reuse, recycle – the common mantra of waste management makes the process sound simple. But while these three ingredients may be the same, the recipe for sustainable waste management can be very different – and Greenland’s unique environment presents some considerable challenges.

EEA to enhance cooperation with Greenland This week the Government of Greenland and the European Environment Agency signed an agreement aimed at improving bilateral cooperation in environmental monitoring and sharing environmental data and information. Environmental data obtained in Greenland and the Arctic in general play a key role in monitoring environmental change around the globe.

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