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Europe’s adaptation policies advance, but stronger action is needed to address growing climate risks

While European countries have made substantial progress in planning for climate adaptation, and with adopting policies, the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) review of national climate adaptation actions published today highlights that implementation and evaluation need to be significantly strengthened to ensure actions effectively address the escalating climate risks Europe faces.

Trends and projections: greenhouse gas emissions largely on track to 2030 targets

The European Union remains largely on track to achieve its 2030 targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest annual check-up on EU progress to its energy and climate targets published by the European Environment Agency today. Total net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by a further 2.5% in 2024, according to estimated figures included in the ‘Trends and projections’ report.

One in five cardiovascular deaths in the EU, preventable by improving the environment

Environmental factors, such as air pollution, extreme temperatures, and exposure to harmful chemicals, cause around one in five cardiovascular deaths in the European Union (EU) — yet, these risks can be prevented. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today shows that environmental policies can protect millions of Europeans from heart disease and save lives.

How to make European forests resilient to wildfires by working with nature

Nature-based solutions are key to reducing Europe’s growing risk of forest fires and to making forests more resilient to climate change, according to a briefing published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

State of Europe’s environment not good: threats to nature and impacts of climate change top challenges

Significant progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but the overall state of Europe’s environment is not good, especially its nature which continues to face degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss. The impacts of accelerating climate change are also an urgent challenge, according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) most comprehensive, ‘state of environment’ report, published today. The outlook for most environmental trends is concerning and poses major risks to Europe’s economic prosperity, security and quality of life.

Public and jury chose the winning images of “Environment&Me 2025” photo competition

An aerial photograph capturing the striking contrast between cracked, dry earth and turquoise waters at Burdur Lake in Türkiye wins the Public Choice Award for the annual photo competition organised by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The three thematic category prizes were awarded to photographs from Sweden and Spain.

Nordic capitals rank as cleanest in updated European city air quality viewer

What is the level of air pollution in your city? Stockholm, Reykjavik and Helsinki rank as the cleanest European capital cities in terms of air quality in the updated European Environment Agency’s (EEA) European city air quality viewer published today.

More bio-based innovation can help reduce environmental impacts, boost Europe’s bioeconomy and sustainability

Europe’s environmental footprint beyond its borders remains high as it continues to rely on goods from key sectors including forestry, grain and energy according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published today. The study highlights the environmental impacts linked to these imports and underscores the need to accelerate bio-based innovations as part of a bioeconomy to develop more home-grown sourcing strategies that can boost Europe’s path to sustainability.

Extreme weather in a changing climate: Is Europe prepared?

With European countries facing another year of damaging heatwaves, drought and other extreme weather events, how prepared and resilient are they to handle these events? A new interactive European Environment Agency (EEA) product published today looks at key climate change impacts and adaptation and preparedness actions.

Vote now to pick winner of this year’s EEA Environment&Me photo competition Public Choice Award

Which one is your favourite? Voting is now open to cast your vote to pick the winner of this year’s Public Choice Award for the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) ‘Environment&Me’ photo competition 2025.

Europe’s land carbon sink declines, but its potential stays high

Europe’s forests and land are absorbing less carbon than expected, putting the 2030 target for the sector at risk. But with the right policies and measures, the land use and forestry sector could still play a crucial role in climate mitigation, with significant co-benefits for people and nature, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today.

Emissions of key air pollutants targeted for reductions in EU Member States continue to drop, slower progress for ammonia

Key air pollutant emissions targeted for reductions and monitored under EU legislation continued to decline across most EU Member States, according to the latest data assessment published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. However, reducing ammonia emissions continues to present a bigger challenge.

Renewables and electrification: key to cutting costs and powering EU’s clean industry and competitiveness

Scaling up renewable electricity sources across the EU could reduce electricity generation costs, improve energy independence, and support the transition towards clean industry, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today. At the same time, accelerating the electrification of heating, transport and industry is needed to support Europe’s clean and competitive future.

More than 20% of Europeans exposed to harmful noise pollution levels

Just over 110 million people, or more than 20% of Europeans, are exposed to high levels of transport noise that exceed thresholds set under EU reporting rules and which harm our health, the environment and the economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report on noise pollution published today. The report calls for stronger action at EU and national levels to address the problem.

Europe’s bathing waters safe for summer swimming

From Europe’s coastal waters to its inland bathing sites, a large majority of Europe’s waters are safe to swim in, according to the latest European bathing water assessment for the 2024 bathing season , published today. It found that over 85% of monitored locations met the European Union’s most stringent ‘excellent’ bathing water quality standards last year, while 96% of all officially identified bathing waters in the EU met the minimum quality standards.

Reversing pollinator decline: why Europe must act now

Wild pollinators are crucial for our food production and ecosystems, yet they are under threat. To tackle the causes of their decline and secure their habitats, we need actions across economic sectors, governance levels, and society. Monitoring the diversity and abundance of wild pollinators is indispensable for assessing the effects of these actions, according to an EEA briefing published today.

“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.