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The European Environment Agency provides sound, independent information on the environment for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. In close collaboration with the European Environmental Information and Observation Network (Eionet) and its 33 member countries, the EEA gathers data and produces assessments on a wide range of topics related to the environment. Learn more

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More action needed to protect Europe’s most vulnerable citizens from air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures

News 04 Feb 2019

Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite overall improvements in Europe’s environmental quality.

Environment and climate impacts of aviation continue growing

News 24 Jan 2019

Improving technology, more efficient operations, better airports and market-based measures have not been enough to mitigate the aviation sector’s growing impacts on the environment, climate and people's health. These are the key findings of a new report, published jointly today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and EUROCONTROL.

More action needed to tackle mixtures of chemicals in Europe's waters

News 16 Jan 2019

Despite successes in addressing some of the most hazardous chemicals, more attention is needed to address the danger posed by the 'cocktail effect' of lower concentrations of chemicals in European lakes, rivers and other surface water bodies, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report released today.

EU goal on phase-down of F-gases remains on track

News 19 Dec 2018

Updated data reported by industry shows the European Union’s goal to phase-down the use of fluorinated greenhouse-gases (F-gases) remained on track in 2017, according to the latest annual update published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

More action needed to protect Europe’s most vulnerable citizens from air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite overall improvements in Europe’s environmental quality.

Environment and climate impacts of aviation continue growing Improving technology, more efficient operations, better airports and market-based measures have not been enough to mitigate the aviation sector’s growing impacts on the environment, climate and people's health. These are the key findings of a new report, published jointly today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and EUROCONTROL.

More action needed to tackle mixtures of chemicals in Europe's waters Despite successes in addressing some of the most hazardous chemicals, more attention is needed to address the danger posed by the 'cocktail effect' of lower concentrations of chemicals in European lakes, rivers and other surface water bodies, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report released today.

EU goal on phase-down of F-gases remains on track Updated data reported by industry shows the European Union’s goal to phase-down the use of fluorinated greenhouse-gases (F-gases) remained on track in 2017, according to the latest annual update published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

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Electric vehicles: a smart choice for the environment

Article 17 Dec 2018

Are electric vehicles better for our climate and air quality than petrol or diesel cars? We sat down with Andreas Unterstaller, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) transport and environment expert to discuss the pros and cons of electric cars which is the focus of a new EEA report.

EEA: 25 years of growing knowledge to support European environment policies

Article 17 Dec 2018

The European Union (EU) has one of the most ambitious sets of environment and climate targets in the world, covering a wide range of policy areas from air quality, waste and water quality to energy and transport. Based on data reported by Member States, the European Environment Agency helps to monitor progress and identify the areas where additional efforts are needed. Since its establishment 25 years ago, the EEA has been developing its data and knowledge work to support policy making in Europe.

Understanding and acting on the complexity of climate change

Article 17 Sep 2018

Climate change is one of the most important challenges of our time. Its impacts are felt across the globe, affecting people, nature and the economy. To mitigate climate change, we need to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases significantly. Translating this overall objective into concrete measures requires understanding a complex system linking emissions from different sources to national and regional impacts, global governance and potential co-benefits. The European Environment Agency strives to continuously improve the knowledge needed for designing effective measures on the ground.

Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health

Article 17 Sep 2018

Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

Electric vehicles: a smart choice for the environment Are electric vehicles better for our climate and air quality than petrol or diesel cars? We sat down with Andreas Unterstaller, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) transport and environment expert to discuss the pros and cons of electric cars which is the focus of a new EEA report.

EEA: 25 years of growing knowledge to support European environment policies The European Union (EU) has one of the most ambitious sets of environment and climate targets in the world, covering a wide range of policy areas from air quality, waste and water quality to energy and transport. Based on data reported by Member States, the European Environment Agency helps to monitor progress and identify the areas where additional efforts are needed. Since its establishment 25 years ago, the EEA has been developing its data and knowledge work to support policy making in Europe.

Understanding and acting on the complexity of climate change Climate change is one of the most important challenges of our time. Its impacts are felt across the globe, affecting people, nature and the economy. To mitigate climate change, we need to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases significantly. Translating this overall objective into concrete measures requires understanding a complex system linking emissions from different sources to national and regional impacts, global governance and potential co-benefits. The European Environment Agency strives to continuously improve the knowledge needed for designing effective measures on the ground.

Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

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Unequal exposure and unequal impacts

Publication 04 Feb 2019

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

Chemicals in European waters

Publication 16 Jan 2019

This report’s aim is to improve understanding of which chemicals continue to pose significant risks to the environment, especially when they are present in water. It also looks at how better knowledge and understanding can help to improve controls to minimise harm. The report gives an overview of information about pollutants used in the assessment of water quality under the Water Framework Directive, and describes some of the newer techniques available for the assessment of water quality.

Single programming document 2019 2021

Publication 11 Jan 2019

"Expanding the knowledge base for policy implementation and long-term transitions." EEA Single Programming Document 2019-2021, adopted by the Management Board at its 83rd meeting of 4-5 December 2018.

Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2018

Publication 19 Dec 2018

Data reported by companies on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union, 2007-2017.

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

Chemicals in European waters This report’s aim is to improve understanding of which chemicals continue to pose significant risks to the environment, especially when they are present in water. It also looks at how better knowledge and understanding can help to improve controls to minimise harm. The report gives an overview of information about pollutants used in the assessment of water quality under the Water Framework Directive, and describes some of the newer techniques available for the assessment of water quality.

Single programming document 2019 2021 "Expanding the knowledge base for policy implementation and long-term transitions." EEA Single Programming Document 2019-2021, adopted by the Management Board at its 83rd meeting of 4-5 December 2018.

Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2018 Data reported by companies on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union, 2007-2017.

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Industrial pollution data and info at your fingertips!

Video 15 Oct 2018

Industrial activities are part of our modern society and give us many benefits. However industrial pollution & mercury are problems which have an impact on our health and on the environment. The EU is at the forefront in taking action to address this pollution. Did you know there is key information available on industrial emissions around where you live?

Water is life, let's protect it!

Video 15 Jun 2018

Industrial pollution data and info at your fingertips! Industrial activities are part of our modern society and give us many benefits. However industrial pollution & mercury are problems which have an impact on our health and on the environment. The EU is at the forefront in taking action to address this pollution. Did you know there is key information available on industrial emissions around where you live?

Water is life, let's protect it!

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EEA member countries and cooperating countries

Figure 18 Feb 2019

EEA member states (EEA-33) and cooperating countries

EEA member countries 2019 (EEA33)

Figure 18 Feb 2019

Map showing member countries of European Environment Agency as per 2019

Status of marine fish and shellfish stocks in European seas

Indicator Assessment 06 Feb 2019

As a main source of protein, fish stocks and other sea products are renewable resources, which could sustain human needs in the long term — if exploited in an appropriate manner. The overall use of fish and shellfish stocks in Europe currently remains beyond the limit for long-term environmental sustainability. However, the analysis of long time series shows important and recent signs of improvement in the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. Since the early 2000s, better management of fish and shellfish stocks has contributed to a clear decrease in fishing pressure in these two regional seas, and signs of recovery in the reproductive capacity of several fish and shellfish stocks have started to appear. If these efforts continue, meeting the 2020 objective for healthy fish and shellfish stocks in the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea could be possible based on two of three criteria (i.e. fishing mortality and reproductive capacity). In contrast, there is small likelihood that the 2020 policy objective will be met in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Ammonium in European rivers

Data Visualization 31 Jan 2019

Intensity of final energy consumption

Indicator Assessment 30 Jan 2019

The EU's final energy intensity decreased by 17.5 % between 2005 and 2016, at a rate of 1.7 % per year. Final energy consumption decreased at a rate of 0.7 % a year while gross domestic product grew by 1.1 % annually over the same period. This indicates a decoupling of final energy consumption from economic growth in the EU. During that period, final energy intensity decreased most in the industry sector (2.3 % per year), followed by the services or tertiary sector (1.6 % per year), the agriculture sector (1.7 % per year), the transport sector (1.1 % per year) and the households sector (1.0 % per year). Since 1990, total final energy intensity has decreased by 33.4 %, at a rate of 1.5 % per year, in the EU. The final energy intensity trend varied among non-EU European Environment Agency countries. Between 2005 and 2016, total final energy intensity decreased by 11.8 % in Norway and by 10.3 % in Turkey, and increased by 25.7 % in Iceland. The large increase in Iceland was mainly due to the recent growth in relatively energy inefficient geothermal energy sources.

Total final energy intensity, 2005-2016

Data Visualization 30 Jan 2019

EEA mapdata and templates - GIS

Data 29 Jan 2019

EEA templates and data, for map production in accordance with EEA Guidelines.

Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Corine Land Cover

Data 07 Jan 2019

The CORINE Land Cover (CLC) inventory was initiated in 1985 (reference year 1990) to standardize data collection on land in Europe to support environmental policy development. Updates were produced in 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018. Change layers were produced for 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018.

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation, 2004-2015

Figure 12 Dec 2018

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation for 2004 to 2015

Level of ambition with respect to SO2, Dust and NOx emission levels in the LCPD, the IPPCD and the IED

Figure 12 Dec 2018

The three graphs show the progression of emission limits in EU industrial emission policy over time. The example chosen is that emission limits for SO2, NOx and dust from existing large coal fired power plants.

Impact of mercury on European water quality

Infographic 03 Dec 2018

Water exploitation index plus (WEI+) for river basin districts (1990-2015)

GIS Map Application 10 Oct 2018

This interactive map gives a European overview of water stress conditions. The information presented may deviate from that available in the EEA member countries and cooperating countries, particularly for those countries where data availability is insufficient in the WISE SoE – Water quantity database (WISE 3). Data on hydro-climatic variables was aggregated from a daily to a monthly scale. Water abstraction data was taken from WISE 3 (annual resolution at the national scale), although there are large gaps in the time series. Therefore, intensive gap filling was performed on water abstraction data and proxies were used to disaggregate the data from the national to the sub-basin scale. Information on water use was mainly modelled on the UWWTP capacities, the E-PRTR database and the Eurostat Population change dataset (online data code [demo_gind]) among others. See the methodology chapter for further explanation of gap filling, and spatial and temporal disaggregation, and the data uncertainties chapter for current data availability. This interactive map allows users to explore changes over time in water abstraction by source, water use by sector and water stress level at sub-basin or river basin scale. The WEI+ has been estimated as the quarterly average per river basin district, for the years 1990-2015, as defined in the European catchments and rivers network system (ECRINS). The ECRINS delineation of river basin districts differs slightly from that defined by Member States under the Water Framework Directive. The Ecrins delineation is used instead of WFD because it contains geo-spatial information on Europe’s hydrographical systems with full topological information enabling flow estimation between upstream and downstream basins, as well as integration of economic data collected at NUTS or country level. In addition to using e WISE SoE – Water quantity database, a comprehensive manual data collection was performed by accessing all open sources (Eurostat, OECD, FAO) including national statistical offices of the countries. This was done because of the temporal and spatial gaps in the data on water abstraction. Moreover, a large part of the stream flow data from LISFLOOD has also been substantially updated by the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre. Similarly, a comprehensive update with climatic parameters has been performed by the EEA based on the E-OBS dataset. Therefore, the time series of the WEI+ presented in the current version might be slightly different for some basins compared with the previous version.