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Health impacts of exposure to noise from transport in Europe

Long-term exposure to noise from transport has negative effects on health. Based on data reported in 2022 under the Environmental Noise Directive, it is estimated that over 20 million people are highly annoyed and almost 7 million are highly sleep disturbed by long-term exposure to noise from transport. The European Union’s 2030 zero pollution target aims to reduce the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30%. A significant decline in the number of people highly affected by transport noise is required to achieve this.

Ocean acidification

Almost one quarter of human-caused carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions are absorbed by oceans, resulting in ocean acidification, i.e. a decrease in the ocean water pH. Ocean acidity has increased by approximately 30% since the pre-industrial era, corresponding to a pH decline of about 0.1 units. Further decreases in pH are projected in the future. Seawater pH has decreased from 8.11 in 1985 to 8.04 in 2024. Ocean acidification has impacts on marine organisms with its effects cascading throughout the food web, modifying ecosystem services like fisheries.

Exposure of Europe’s population to environmental noise

Environmental noise remains a significant problem in Europe. Over 20% of the population live in areas where transport noise levels are harmful to health when measured against thresholds established in the Environmental Noise Directive. Applying the stricter WHO recommendations increases this figure to over 30%. Road traffic is the main source of noise pollution in both urban and rural settings. A key commitment of the European Commission’s zero pollution ambition is to reduce the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030, compared with 2017.

Share of environmental taxes in total tax revenues in Europe

Despite the essential role of environmental taxation for the transition to a greener economy, the share of environmental taxes in total revenues from taxes and social contributions in the European Union decreased. This share has fallen from 6.3% in 2010 to 5.1% in 2023, the lowest level since 2010, setting the indicator outlook towards 2030 to be likely off track. The reasons for a decline vary, including: a shrinking tax base linked to electrification, structural changes in the economy, absence of tax indexations, and resistance to environmental taxes.

Environmental protection expenditure

Increasing environment- and climate-related expenditure can help meet the objectives of the European Green Deal. Environmental Protection Expenditure Accounts (EPEA) measure the economic resources used for prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution and any other degradation of the environment. Expenditure increased between 2018 and 2024 from 352 billion to 367 billion euros in the European Union. This represents a modest real term increase of 4.2% after inflation adjustments. EPE as a share of GDP declined to 2.0% in 2024, the lowest level recorded during the assessed period.

Gross value added of the environmental goods and services sector in Europe

The environmental goods and services sector contribution to the European Union economy, in terms of value added, increased from 2.1% in 2010 to 3.3% in 2022, reaching EUR 601 billion in 2025 prices. This rise was mainly caused by significant increases in environmental economy activities related to renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and waste management. The EU aims to achieve a green transition and carbon-neutral economy by 2050. This requires further significant increases in environmental economy activities.

Emissions of the main air pollutants in Europe

The air pollutants ammonia , non-methane volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides , fine particulate matter and sulphur oxides damage the environment and human health. Reducing their anthropogenic emissions is a priority for European Union and international air quality legislation. Since 2005, emissions of all five pollutants have declined with sulphur oxide reducing the most (84%) and ammonia the least (17%). Stronger effort, particularly in the agriculture, transport and energy sectors, is essential for the EU to fulfil longer term reduction commitments.

Employment in the environmental goods and services sector in Europe

Employment in the EU’s environmental goods and services sector grew at a faster rate than the overall employment rate in the last decade. It increased from 2.1% of total employment in 2010 to 3.1% in 2022, with 6.67 million full-time equivalent employees in the sector. This was mainly due to the creation of jobs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and waste management. The EU aims to accelerate the green transition of its economy and become carbon neutral by 2050. This is expected to boost jobs in the EU’s green economy in the coming years and further increase the share of green employment in the EU economy.

Persistent organic pollutant emissions in Europe

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate in ecosystems and harm human health. Targeted EU legislation, in line with commitments under the UNECE Air Convention, has led to marked POP reductions since 1990. Between 2005 and 2023, emissions have continued to fall: hexachlorobenzene emissions reduced by 62%, polychlorinated biphenyls by 68%, dioxins and furans by 72%, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by 28%. The most significant POP sources are the commercial, institutional and households, and industrial processes and product use sectors.

Consumption of ozone-depleting substances in Europe

The European Union phased out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) ahead of its commitment under the Montreal Protocol. It continues its actions to reduce ODS emissions in the few remaining exempted uses. In 2024, the consumption of ODS in the EU was negative, amounting to -661 metric tonnes. This is explained by the fact that quantities exported and destroyed are outweighing the sum of quantities produced and imported.

Consumption footprint (based on life cycle assessment) in Europe

The European Union’s 8th Environment Action Programme aims to significantly reduce its consumption footprint by 2030, and keep related environmental impacts within planetary boundaries. These impacts stem from our consumption patterns and, depending on production locations, not confined to EU borders. During 2010-2023, the EU consumption footprint increased by around 5% and projections indicate a further increase by 2030, mainly attributed to economic growth and unsustainable consumption patterns. The EU is not presently on track to reduce its consumption footprint sufficiently. Switching to less harmful products and curbing consumption levels are strongly recommended to reach the target.

Heavy metal emissions in Europe

Heavy metals accumulate in ecosystems and damage human health. In accordance with the European Union’s commitments under the UNECE Air Convention, specific legislation has led to reductions in heavy metal emissions to air across Europe from 1990 levels. Between 2005 and 2023, emissions have continued to decline, with cadmium emissions decreasing by 43%, mercury emissions by 57% and lead emissions by 46% across the EU-27 Member States. Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain contributed the most to heavy metal emissions in the EU during 2023.

Ecological status of surface waters in Europe

The ecological status of European Union surface waters continues to decline, as reported, only 39.6% attained good status in 2021. Member States must urgently implement all measures to achieve a good ecological status to meet the Water Framework Directive’s 2027 deadline. The third River Basin Management Plans are the final opportunity to meet the Water Framework Directive’s objectives and deliver on the Water Resilience Strategy. Key opportunities to accelerate progress and foster synergies to amplify results across policies can be found through the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Common bird index in Europe

Birds play an essential role in ecosystems and provide a variety of ecosystem services. They are sensitive to environmental change and good indicators of environmental health. Between 1990 and 2023, the index of 168 common birds decreased by 15% in the EU. The decline was much stronger in common farmland birds, at 42%, while the common forest bird index decreased by 4.5%. Currently, it seems unlikely that the decline in populations of common birds will be reversed by 2030. Member States need to strengthen the implementation of existing policies and put new conservation and restoration measures in place to ensure their recovery.

Bathing waters with excellent water quality in Europe

Bathing water quality has improved over time based on tests for Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and intestinal enterococci bacteria. Between 2010 and 2024, the share of EU bathing waters classified as ‘excellent’ quality was within a range of 81-89% for coastal bathing waters and 60-82% for inland bathing waters. Consistently high shares of excellent bathing water quality indicate that the combined effect of the systematic monitoring and management of bathing sites, and improvements in wastewater networks and treatment have led to a drastic reduction in organic pollutants and pathogens.

Industrial pollutant releases to air in Europe

Industrial releases of air pollutants damaging to human health and the environment decreased between 2010 and 2023 in Europe. Emissions of greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur oxides (SO x )), and other pollutants (e.g. nitrogen oxides (NO x ), particulate matter (PM 10 ) and heavy metals) all declined significantly. The value that industry generated for the European economy during this period increased, and therefore brings an increase in efficiency in terms of the ratio of emissions generated and the value output of the sector.

Industrial pollutant releases to water in Europe

Between 2010 and 2023, industrial releases to Europe’s water bodies of pollutants damaging to human health and the environment declined overall. Releases of heavy metals declined until 2016 with a stagnating trend thereafter. Emissions of nitrogen, which cause eutrophication, declined to a lesser extent. The economic value of industry increased by almost 20%, in line with the EU policy objective of supporting industrial growth while decreasing industrial emissions. However, data gaps make it difficult to assess industry’s contribution to overall water pollution in Europe.

Green bonds in Europe

Green bonds are used to finance activities that support climate and environmental objectives. Green bonds reached 6.9% of all bonds issued by corporations and governments across the European Union in 2024, an improvement from the 5.3% noted in 2023. This trend reflects a higher demand for financial products that support sustainability objectives. The issuance of green bonds is likely to increase, given the ambitious decarbonisation goals of the Competitiveness Compass and the European Green Deal.

Emissions and energy use in large combustion plants in Europe

Emissions from large combustion plants in the EU have decreased since 2004: sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and dust by 94% and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) by 73%. Declines in emissions and improvements in environmental performance were largely driven by European policy, setting legally binding emission limit values. Fossil fuel usage decreased by 41% as energy production shifted to climate-friendly sources and coal no longer the primary fuel in large combustion plants. Stricter emission limit values and policies aimed at increasing the use of renewable or cleaner fuels are expected to drive further declines in combustion plant emissions in coming years.

Greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation in Europe

Greenhouse gas emission intensity of power generation in the European Union has returned to the overall decreasing trend of the past decades. This follows a slight increase in use of fossil fuels during 2021 and 2022, linked to post-COVID recovery and the war in Ukraine. Generating one kilowatt hour emitted, on average, 20% less CO 2 in 2023 than in 2022 and 36% less than a decade ago. Climate and energy policies have effectively lowered carbon-intensive electricity supply over time, resulting in less coal use, more renewables and a more efficient EU generation mix.

Exposure of Europe's ecosystems to ozone

Ground-level ozone adversely affects human health, vegetation and ecosystems across Europe. This leads to premature deaths, decreased crop yields and forest growth, and loss of biodiversity. In 2023, 12.5% of Europe’s agricultural lands were exposed to ozone levels above the threshold value set for the protection of vegetation in the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directives. In addition, the long-term objective was not met in 90.8% of agricultural lands.

Global and European temperatures

Global mean temperature between 2015 and 2024 was 1.24 to 1.28°C warmer than the pre-industrial level, which makes it the warmest decade on record. European land temperatures have increased even faster over the same period by 2.19 to 2.26°C, depending on the dataset used. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change member countries have committed to a global temperature increase limit well below 2°C above the pre-industrial level, and aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Without drastic cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions, the 2°C limit is likely to be exceeded before 2050.

European sea surface temperature

All European seas have warmed considerably since 1870 and particularly since the late 1970s, with recent years been among the warmest on record. According to climate projections, sea surface temperature in European seas are expected to increase another 2-6°C by 2100 under the high emissions scenario. The frequency and magnitude of marine heatwaves have increased significantly both globally and in European seas. This is projected to continue, with increasing impacts on climate and ecosystems expected.

Income-related air pollution exposure inequalities between regions in Europe

Air pollution poses the greatest environmental risk to health in Europe. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) causes more premature deaths in Europe than any other air pollutant. Despite improving trends in air pollution for both the richest and poorest regions of the European Union over the 2007-2022 period, inequalities remain with PM 2.5 concentrations consistently higher by around one third in the poorest regions.

Nutrients in Europe's transitional, coastal and marine waters

Eutrophication in marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystems, caused by human activities that introduce excess nutrients into water, lead to harmful effects. To address this, Europe adopted an integrated strategy to reduce inputs. Nutrient levels have significantly declined between 1980 and 2023, yet eutrophication remains a significant problem in the Baltic, Black and Greater North Seas and some coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Over 91-94% of the assessed time-series show no significant change. Progress has been made to reduce nutrient inputs, specifically nitrogen, yet more effort is necessary for phosphorus.