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“Leave no one behind” must be central to Europe’s climate resilience efforts

Europe is warming up faster than any other continent and the most vulnerable people are bearing the brunt of climate impacts. A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), published today, shows that although the most vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected, they are often overlooked in climate adaptation planning and especially implementation.

Water savings in key economic sectors can help improve EU’s water resilience

Significant water savings can be achieved in key economic sectors through new measures which will be essential to boost the European Union’s water resilience, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today.

Average CO2 emissions from new cars and new vans slightly increased in 2024

After a steady and significant reduction from 2020 to 2023, average carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024, according to new provisional data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

EEA Scientific Committee elects new chair and vice-chairs

The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Scientific Committee has elected a new chair and two vice-chairs at its spring meeting held over two days at the EEA headquarters in Copenhagen.

What are the impacts of PFAS polymers on our health and the environment?

The widespread use of PFAS polymers in everything from consumer products to green technologies can lead to contamination of water, air, soil, food and people. A European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published today, says that these chemicals can also contribute to global warming and ozone depletion.

EU’s energy sector leads the way in cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in 2023

The European Union’s energy sector led the way in reducing domestic EU net greenhouse gas emissions by 9% in 2023 compared to the year before according to the latest official EU data submitted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to the United Nations. The drop represents the largest relative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU since 1990 and further solidifies the EU’s progress to reduce its share of global emissions.

Future-proofing Europe’s production and consumption systems: EEA calls for systemic, long-term thinking

How will we meet our needs for food, housing, energy and mobility in 2050? What major disruptions—from global unrest to climate breakdown or digital collapse—could reshape them? And how can we future-proof these vital production and consumption systems against disruptions? These are the questions explored in an EEA report released today.

Air quality steadily improving but EU standards still not fully met, latest EEA data analysis shows

Air quality is steadily improving across Europe with most air pollution monitoring stations achieving current EU annual limits for some of the most harmful air pollutants. However, additional measures to improve air quality, especially in cities, will be required to fully meet current EU standards as well as recently agreed future air quality standards by 2030, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality data analysis for 2023 and 2024 published today.

EEA launches 'Our environment : Our future' campaign

Do you have a story to share about how you made a positive difference, improving our environment and helping to build a more sustainable future? Then why not submit it and take part in the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) ‘Our environment : Our future’ outreach campaign? Tell us about Europe’s environment through your actions and in your own words.

EU waste prevention checkup: more effective measures needed to tackle food waste

While prevention measures are gaining momentum, more effective efforts at national level are needed to tackle the huge problem of food waste according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report released today. The assessment gives an update on waste prevention measures across the EU. Preventing food waste is both urgent and necessary, given the high impacts of food waste on climate change, but also to protect biodiversity, reduce pollution and enhance food security, it says.

Consumption of clothing, footwear, other textiles in the EU reaches new record high

Europeans are buying and discarding more clothing, footwear and other textiles than ever before, which as a result, is putting more pressure on our climate and environment, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released today. The updated consumption data highlights the need for policymakers, industry and consumers to play their role in helping Europe shift away from the fast-fashion trend, to produce better, longer lasting quality textiles which are designed to last long, and can be reused, repaired and recycled.

Climate change impacts leading to increased exposure to harmful toxins

Rising temperatures due to climate change are increasing the risk of human exposure to so-called mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by fungi found in certain foods, feed and crops according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. These toxins can harm health and preventing the rise of contamination requires joined-up action on European and national levels, on research, policies and practice to effectively reduce risks.

EEA launches Environment&Me photo competition

Calling all photography enthusiasts with a keen interest in the environment. Today the European Environment Agency (EEA) launched its 2025 ‘Environment&Me’ photo competition which aims to put the spotlight on the deep connection between people and our surrounding environment.

EU advancing on 2030 zero-pollution targets but stronger action is needed

Today, the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) published the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report, which provides an overview of the EU’s work to meet the 2030 zero pollution targets. The Commission also published today its fourth Clean Air Outlook report . The reports show that EU policies have contributed to reducing air pollution, pesticide use and plastic litter at sea. However, pollution levels are still too high, in particular from harmful noise, microplastic releases into the environment, nutrient pollution and waste generation.

More action needed to reduce methane emissions

More action is needed to control and reduce methane emissions across Europe and globally, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, in addition it is also a major contributor to ground-level ozone pollution, leading to poor air quality and harm to human health, ecosystems and agricultural production.

Decisive measures needed to meet EU’s environmental, climate and sustainability objectives

Despite steady progress in key areas, the European Union is only partially on track to achieve the EU’s 2030 climate, environment and sustainability objectives, according to the latest monitoring report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). More decisive measures are needed to boost a circular economy, reverse the declining trend in biodiversity and in reducing the EU’s consumption footprint.

EU maritime transport: progress made, but environmental, sustainability challenges persist

Europe’s maritime sector is making progress towards greater sustainability but will need to increase its efforts over the coming years to meet EU climate and environment goals aimed at reducing energy use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as better protecting biodiversity. That is according to the second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report , released today by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Over 500,000 children’s reading skills impaired by transport noise in Europe

More than one out of five Europeans are exposed to harmful long-term noise from road, rail and air transport. Published today, European Environment Agency’s (EEA) briefing shows that this noise exposure leads to over half a million children suffering from impaired reading ability and almost 60,000 having behavioural difficulties in Europe.

Health and environment impacts of air pollution exposure remain high across Europe

Just under 240,000 deaths per year in the European Union can be attributed to exposure to fine particulate matter, a key air pollutant, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health impact assessment published today as the new EU rules enter into force. The latest data also confirm, yet again, that Europeans remain exposed to air pollutant concentrations considerably above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels. A separate assessment also found that nearly three quarters of Europe’s ecosystems are exposed to damaging levels of air pollution.

’Forever chemicals’ found above threshold levels in many water bodies in Europe

Concerns about PFAS pollution have increased in many European countries but comprehensive monitoring data are often limited. Published today, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessment shows that most monitored rivers, transitional and coastal waters and a large part of lakes in Europe are polluted with at least one of the many extremely persistent chemical compounds that are deemed harmful for people and nature.

Improving recycling quality will support circular economy

Europe has set ambitious goals to create a competitive circular economy that can be key in supporting innovation, decarbonisation and security. The transition is also needed to halt biodiversity loss and wasteful use of natural resources. Published today, two briefings from the European Environment Agency show the status of circular economy and highlight the need for improving recycling quality.

Improving health and resilience of waters in Europe

Europe’s water is under pressure from pollution, over-use, habitat degradation and increasing impacts of climate change. Improving the resilience and health of Europe’s lakes, rivers and groundwaters is an urgent priority to secure good-quality water for people and nature.

EEA Executive Director calls on EU to stay the course on its climate, environment policies, ambitions

Amid increased and devastating impacts of climate change and continuing degradation of our nature, the European Union must redouble its efforts to stay the course on its climate and environment policies and ambitions. Sticking to the European Green Deal is the right thing to do, Leena Ylä-Mononen, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Executive Director, will say in a keynote speech today in Brussels, adding its policies not only protect the environment but also contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and security priorities, and can help to build a fairer, healthier society.

Winners announced for EEA’s 2024 Urban Treasures photo competition

A hedgehog out for a nighttime walk, a moody shot of commuters crossing a misty bridge in Portugal and a vertical garden in Spain are just a few of the outstanding winners of this year’s ‘Urban Treasures’ European Environment Agency (EEA) photo competition announced today.

Impacts of heat on health: over half EEA countries monitor and take action on heat and health

Collecting timely and reliable data on the number of deaths and illnesses associated with heat are vital to deploy targeted emergency responses during heatwaves. Twenty of the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) 38 member and cooperating countries currently monitor heat impacts on health, according to an EEA briefing published today.