Publications

This report looks at the forces shaping the future of the environment in the Western Balkans, in particular at the role of consumption and production patterns. It begins with a review of key recent environmental trends in the region, then analyses the global, European, regional and national drivers — such as social, political and economic — that are shaping production and consumption patterns. Addressing environmental challenges in a sustainable manner requires a close review of plausible future developments in other sectors and the potential implications of these drivers on the environment. At the end report also looks at how different actors in the region can act to shape environmental futures. The report takes a futures perspective because the countries of the Western Balkan are at a turning point in the development of their economies, societies and environment. This is important as in the long term, political, economic and other changes may exacerbate some environmental problems, create new ones and provide the means to address existing issues. The report also closely reviews and assesses how can available information support region-wide forward-looking integrated environment assessment.

This paper briefly analyses the major factors that accounted for decreased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions excluding land use, land use changes and forestry (LULUCF) in the EU-28 between 1990 and 2012. The paper commences with an overview of EU trends, followed by summaries of the contributions of individual Member States, greenhouse gas types, and main sectors.

This paper briefly analyses the major factors that accounted for decreased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions excluding land use, land use changes and forestry (LULUCF) in the EU-28 between 2011 and 2012, which are the latest years for which official greenhouse gas inventory data are available

Rivers are much wider than the channels we associate them with. The areas next to rivers, which are only covered by water during floods, are also part of the river system. Known as floodplains, in their natural condition they are an important ecological part of this system: they filter and store water, secure both natural flood protection and the healthy functioning of river ecosystems, and help sustain the high biological diversity present there.

A story in the "Our Natural Europe" series

The EEA takes stock annually of progress towards the 8th Environment Action Programme (8th EAP) objectives on the basis of a set of 28 headline indicators and corresponding targets.

This is the second edition of EMTER, a joint report by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the EEA. It gives an update on the environmental performance of the sector and an assessment of efforts to make it more sustainable.

Methane, climate change and air quality in Europe: exploring the connections

This briefing is intended to support future European Commission policy action on methane abatement at the national, EU and international levels. Such actions will contribute to innovative solutions in the industry, agriculture and food sectors.

SOER 2020 - At a glance

The European environment — state and outlook 2020 (SOER 2020) comes at a crucial time of urgent sustainability challenges that require urgent systemic solutions. The overarching challenge of this century is how we achieve development across the world that balances societal, economic and environmental considerations. Sustainability needs to become the guiding principle for ambitious and coherent policies and actions across society.

Sustainable Development Goals and the environment in Europe: a cross-country analysis and 39 country profiles

Agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.

The synthesis report informs future European environmental policy in general and its implementation between 2015 and 2020 in particular. It includes a reflection on the European environment in a global context, as well as chapters summarising the state of, trends in, and prospects for the environment in Europe. Find below European, regional and country-level briefings, complemented by an overarching synthesis report and a global megatrends report.

Mycotoxin exposure in a changing European climate

Mycotoxins are toxins from fungi which contaminate crops, food and feed. Climate change alters fungal behaviour and distribution, increasing the risk of exposure to these toxins. This briefing explores associated health concerns and how a One Health approach can prevent contamination.

Beating cardiovascular disease — the role of Europe’s environment

Cardiovascular disease affects the lives of many European residents. Environmental exposure to ambient and indoor air pollution, noise, extreme temperatures, second-hand smoke and chemicals, among other factors, significantly contribute to the high burden of cardiovascular illnesses in Europe. However, environmental risk factors for cardiovascular disease are largely preventable. This report provides a brief overview of the evidence about the environmental determinants of cardiovascular disease in Europe and corresponding EU policy responses.

Circularity of the EU textiles value chain in numbers

A vision of the EU in its strategy on sustainable and circular textiles is to move away from fast fashion towards better and longer-lasting products, with more reuse and recycling. This briefing helps fill data and knowledge gaps on the circularity of the textiles value chain to support policies targeted towards reducing the environmental and climate impacts of textiles.

Strengthening society’s engagement with nature

This briefing describes how the value of nature can be viewed differently by different societal groups. It highlights the need for more collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society to strengthen and scale up efforts to encourage greater engagement with nature. The briefing supports the implementation of the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 and Nature Restoration Regulation.

This report gives the latest biennial check-up on waste prevention actions via data and trends, in support of EU’s Waste Framework Directive.

Air quality status report 2025

Air pollution has reduced steadily across Europe over recent decades, yet it remains the region’s largest environmental health risk, causing diseases, lowering quality of life and leading to preventable deaths. The EU has set air quality standards to reduce risks posed by air pollution. This report presents analysis of the latest official 2023 and 2024 reported concentrations in Europe against current and future (2030) EU limit values and against the stricter World Health Organization guideline levels.

This foresight report looks at how Europe’s food, energy and mobility systems and the built environment could evolve. The report takes four imagined futures, or ‘imaginaries’, developed by the EEA and its network – Eionet, and explores how Europe’s key systems might evolve under each possible future.

PFAS polymers in focus: supporting Europe’s zero pollution, low-carbon and circular economy ambitions

This briefing explores the impacts of PFAS polymers and highlights the latest knowledge about their potential impacts on health, the environment and the climate. It provides background context to the ongoing proposals to clarify the use of PFAS in Europe.