Heavy metals accumulate in ecosystems and damage human health. In line with the EU’s commitments under the Air Convention, specific legislation led to reductions in emissions of heavy metals across Europe from 1990 levels. Between 2005 and 2019, emissions have continued to decline, with lead emissions decreasing by 44%, mercury emissions by 45% and cadmium emissions by 33% across the EU-27 Member States. In 2019, Germany, Italy and Poland contributed most to heavy metal emissions in the EU.
The air pollutants ammonia (NH 3 ), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), nitrogen oxides (NO X ), fine particulate matter (PM) and sulphur oxides (SO X ) damage human health and the environment, so reducing their emissions is a priority of both EU and international air quality legislation. Since 2005, emissions of all five pollutants have declined and, by 2012, the emission ceilings set for NH 3 , NMVOCs, NO X and SO X had been met. However, based on progress so far, it is clear that more effort, particularly in the transport, energy and agriculture sectors, is essential if the EU is to fulfil longer term reduction commitments.
The EUNIS habitat classification is a comprehensive pan-European system for habitat identification. The classification is hierarchical and covers all types of habitats from natural to artificial, from terrestrial to freshwater and marine. The habitat types are identified by specific codes, names and descriptions and come with cross-walks to other habitat typologies.
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) protected area data sets include information about European drinking water protected areas, designated waters such as fish protected areas and shellfish protected areas, nitrates vulnerable zones, urban waste water sensitive areas and bathing water protected areas.
The protected areas are part of the Water Framework Directive register of protected areas and were reported in second River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) or under other related reporting obligations.
The data sets are part of the Water Information System for Europe (WISE), and compile information reported by the EU Member States, Albania, Iceland, Norway, Montenegro, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to the European Commission (EC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
European air quality information reported by EEA member countries, including all EU Member States, as well as EEA cooperating and other reporting countries. The EEA’s air quality database consists of a multi-annual time series of air quality measurement data and calculated statistics for a number of air pollutants.
It also contains meta-information on the monitoring networks involved, their stations and measurements, air quality modelling techniques, as well as air quality zones, assessment regimes, compliance attainments and air quality plans and programmes reported by the EU Member States and European Economic Area countries.
The EEA's latest 'State of nature in the EU' report shows alarming results from the 2013-2018 reporting period. Many species and habitats in Europe face an uncertain future unless urgent action is taken to reverse the situation.
Europe's biodiversity continues to be shaped by human activity. Pressures to habitats and species remain high and more than 67 000 individual pressures have been reported at the EU level.
Nature provides us with many valuable services. Some of these services are relatively easy to quantify, such as crops, fisheries and timber; other services, less so. How does one accurately account for the value of pollination for agriculture of flood protection by wetlands?
The figure shows the difference in emissions of the main air pollutants in 2019 compared to 2005 levels. NMVOCs (non-methane volatile organic compounds), NOx (nitrogen oxides),
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), SOx (sulphur oxides) and NH3 (ammonia).
The figure shows the emission reductions of the main air pollutants by Member State from 2005 to 2019 in %. NMVOCs (non-methane volatile organic compounds), NOx (nitrogen oxides),
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), SOx (sulphur oxides) and NH3 (ammonia).
Red dots indicate an increase in emissions and blue dots indicate a decrease.
The figure shows changes in cadmium, mercury, and lead emissions between 2005 and 2019, based on data reported by EU Member States under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Red dots indicate an increase in emissions and blue dots indicate a decrease.
The figure shows changes in cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) emissions between 2005 and 2019, based on data reported by EU Member States under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.
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