Highlights

Consumers buying more efficient cars in Europe

Arthur Girling — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0200

The average car sold in the EU in 2012 was 9 % more fuel-efficient than the average three years before, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Improved technology and an increase in the share of diesel cars are the main reasons behind the fall in average CO2 emissions.

The European Soundscape Award 2013 - open for applications

Iben Stanhardt — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0200

Do you want to make some noise about your campaign for a quiet environment? Or do you want to show others how your community solved a noise problem and created a healthier soundscape? The European Soundscape Award 2013 aims to draw attention to these kinds of projects.

International shipping should cut air pollutants and greenhouse gases together

Arthur Girling — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:55:00 +0100

Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from the shipping sector have increased substantially in the last two decades, contributing to both climate change and air pollution problems, according to a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Reducing the € 45 billion health cost of air pollution from lorries

Arthur Girling — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:05:00 +0100

Road charges for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs or lorries) should reflect the varied health effects of traffic pollution in different European countries. This means charges should be much higher in some countries compared to others, according to analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Most car manufacturers on track to meet 2012 CO2 targets

Arthur Girling — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0100

In 2011, average CO2 vehicle emissions for most carmakers were below target levels estimated for 2012. This was the situation for 47 carmakers, responsible for 95% of the new cars registered in the EU in 2011, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis.

Traffic pollution still harmful to health in many parts of Europe

Arthur Girling — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:05:00 +0100

Transport in Europe is responsible for damaging levels of air pollutants and a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the resulting environmental problems can be addressed by stepping up efforts to meet new EU targets, according to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

European Mobility Week 2012: Moving in the right direction

Iben Stanhardt — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:15:00 +0200

Imagine a city with clean air and little noise. A place free of congestion, where getting around town is easy. To move towards this goal, cities need to develop sustainable and efficient urban transport systems which integrate all modes of transport both in the cities and in their surrounding areas. Citizens can help by making the right choices.

Copenhagen beats Bristol and Frankfurt to win European Green Capital 2014

Arthur Girling — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0200

The city of Copenhagen in Denmark has won the European Green Capital Award for 2014, fending off strong competition from two other finalists, Bristol in England and Frankfurt in Germany. Fourteen cities entered the competition, of which three finalist cities presented their vision, action plans and communication strategies to the jury earlier this month.

New cars sold in 2011 were 3.3 % more fuel efficient than those sold in 2010

Arthur Girling — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:45:00 +0200

Europeans are buying cars that are more efficient. Average carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre continue to fall in Europe, according to preliminary figures released today. The 2011 data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) also show that car manufacturers are mostly on track to meeting European Union (EU) targets.

Creating a quiet environment

Iben Stanhardt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0200

Do you know someone who is doing something to create a healthy soundscape in your working environment, neighbourhood or municipality—implementing innovative solutions to noise problems or creating quiet green areas where the sounds of birds and bees can be enjoyed? If so, encourage them to apply for the European Soundscape Award 2012 which is open for submission from 25 April, the International Noise Awareness Day.

Air pollutant emission limits exceeded in twelve EU Member States

Arthur Girling — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

Twelve Member States exceeded one or more of the emission limits set by the EU National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive, according to recent official data for 2010 reported to the European Environment Agency (EEA). In some instances the limits were exceeded by significant amounts.

Most carmakers must further improve carbon efficiency by 2015

Arthur Girling — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0100

Several carmakers need to make their fleets even more carbon-efficient in order to meet 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions target, according to updated data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The data also show that almost all manufacturers must reduce emissions to meet 2015 targets under European legislation for new passenger cars, based on average CO2 emissions for each manufacturer.

Homes responsible for one quarter of European greenhouse emissions from energy

Arthur Girling — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +0100

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.

European transport sector must be ambitious to meet targets

Arthur Girling — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Emissions of many pollutants from transport fell in 2009. But this reduction may only be a temporary effect of the economic downturn, according to the latest annual report on transport emissions from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) explores the environmental impact of transport. For the first time, the report considers a comprehensive set of quantitative targets proposed by the European Commission’s 2011 roadmap on transport.

Cutting noise with quiet asphalt and traffic lane management

Iben Stanhardt — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:30:00 +0100

Noise pollution affects many Europeans, and for some, it is not only a nuisance - it can also trigger serious disease. Tuesday evening, at a prestigious ceremony in London, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Noise Abatement Society (NAS) presented the European Soundscape Award for the first time to raise awareness and recognise initiatives that help reduce noise levels. The winner was a Dutch project which was commended for its integrated traffic noise reduction scheme.