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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 decreased since 2024: 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.

Chlorophyll in Europe's transitional, coastal and marine waters

Chlorophyll-a concentrations, a key indicator of ocean health, reveal mixed trends across Europe's marine regions. Assessments show improvements in some critical areas such as the Kattegat Strait and Northwest of Ireland post-2000. More areas are improving than declining in the Greater North Sea and the Black Sea, while the Baltic Sea displays a near balance in trends. Notably, over 95% of the assessed locations show no significant change. These findings highlight the need for ongoing efforts to improve monitoring and mitigate the risk of eutrophication amid a changing climate.

Oxygen concentrations in Europe's coastal and marine waters

The occurrence of reduced oxygen levels in near-seafloor waters is increasing, owing mainly to a combination of natural causes and human-induced pressures, including excess nutrient inputs and climate change. Around 18% of assessed areas reveal reduced concentrations (<6mg/l), below the level needed to support marine life with minimal stress. The Baltic and Black seas are most affected, with over 33% of assessed areas falling below this level. Oxygen depletion can severely impact marine life and disrupt ecosystems, leading to significant environmental and socio-economic consequences.

Hazardous substances in marine organisms in Europe's seas

Hazardous substances are polluting Europe's seas, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Nine hazardous substances were assessed in mussels and oysters between 2010 and 2022. Exceedance of safe limits was observed for benzo[a]pyrene, lindane (y-HCH), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). Available time trends show that regions with improving (decreasing) concentrations are more prevalent than deteriorating ones. Therefore, further actions are essential to meeting the targets outlined in both the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Exceedance of air quality standards in Europe

European Union legislation has led to significant improvements in air quality. The percentage of urban citizens exposed to pollutant levels above legal standards set in 2004 and 2008 to protect human health fell between 2000 and 2023, especially for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. Poor air quality remains a problem. In 2023, 16% and 8% of EU citizens were exposed, respectively, to ozone and benzo(a)pyrene levels above EU standards. World Health Organization guideline values are more stringent than EU legal standards. More than 94% of urban citizens were exposed to unsafe levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ).

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 2017 under the Environmental Noise Directive, it is estimated that at least 18 million people are highly annoyed and 5 million are highly sleep disturbed by long-term exposure to noise from transport. The European Union’s zero pollution action plan aims to reduce the share of people affected by transport noise by 30%. Achieving this will require a significant decline in the number of people highly effected by transport noise.

Primary and final energy consumption in the European Union

The European Union’s primary energy consumption (PEC) by end users in 2023 fell by 3.9% compared to 2022 and final energy consumption (FEC) fell by 3.0%. This progress is an improvement compared to historical trends in energy efficiency. The rate of reduction observed in both PEC and FEC over the past three years suggests that the 2030 energy efficiency targets could be achieved, provided that the observed rate of reduction persists through the end of this decade. This also highlights the importance of maintaining decisive action to put the EU on track to meet both the PEC and FEC targets.

Fossil fuel subsidies in Europe

The 8th Environment Action Programme calls for fossil fuel subsidies to be phased out without delay. Subsidies were stable from 2015-2021, yet more than doubled in 2022 due to high energy prices post-COVID and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, subsequently falling to EUR 111 billion in 2023. While a significant part of fossil fuel subsidies are due to be phased out by 2030, these are largely crisis measures. The EU is likely not on track to make notable progress by 2030, as most Member States lack concrete plans to phase out the significant fossil fuel subsidies that remain.

Atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations

The atmospheric concentration of GHGs and other forcing agents, including cooling aerosols, reached 477ppm CO 2 equivalents in 2022. This is close to the upper limit of the peak level that the IPCC states peak level 'should not be exceeded if — with a 67% likelihood and not allowing a temperature overshoot — the global temperature increase is to be limited to 1.5 o C above pre-industrial levels'. When allowing for an overshoot, the peak level could be exceeded before 2028. The peak concentrations corresponding to a temperature increase of 2 o C by 2100 could be exceeded before 2032.

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 fell from 6.0% in 2010 to 4.8% in 2022. Revenues from carbon pricing are expected to increase from 2027 with the start of the new Emissions Trading System. Whether this is sufficient to halt the persistent decrease in the overall share of environmental taxes is increasingly uncertain. Revenues from energy taxation may decline as future greenhouse gas emissions reductions erode the tax base.

Water scarcity conditions in Europe

Water scarcity affected 34% of the European Union territory during at least one season in 2022. Despite water abstraction declining by 19% in the EU between 2000 and 2022, there has been no overall reduction in the area affected by water scarcity conditions. In fact, the situation has intensified since 2010. This, compounded with the fact that climate change is expected to further increase the frequency, intensity and impacts of drought events, makes it somewhat unlikely that water scarcity will reduce by 2030. Additional effort is required to ensure sustainable water use.

Share of energy consumption from renewable sources in Europe

Renewable energy sources represented 24.5% of the European Union’s final energy use in 2023. The share is estimated to have increased by one percentage point since 2022, still largely driven by strong growth in renewable electricity supply. The share is also amplified by a small 2023 reduction in non-renewable energy consumption. Meeting the new minimum EU target of 42.5% for 2030 will demand doubling the rates of renewables deployment seen over the past decade and a deeper transformation of the European energy system.

Global and European sea level rise

Global mean sea level (GMSL) has risen about 21cm since 1900, at an accelerating rate. GMSL reached its highest value ever in 2023. GMSL will likely rise by 0.28-0.55m under a very low emissions scenario (SSP1-1.9) and 0.63-1.02m under a very high emissions scenario (SSP5-8.5) by 2100, relative to the 1995-2014 average. GMSL simulations that include the possibility of fast disintegration of the polar ice sheets project a rise of up to 5m by 2150. Most coastal regions in Europe have experienced an increase in sea level relative to land, except for the northern Baltic Sea coast.

Arctic and Baltic sea ice

Arctic sea ice is rapidly declining. On average, the Arctic has lost an area of 73,000km 2 of sea ice per year in summer and 31,000km 2 per year in winter since 1979. The Arctic sea ice area for summer 2020 was the second lowest ever and sea ice is becoming younger and thinner. An almost ice-free Arctic sea in summer is projected to be a rare event for 1.5°C of global warming but will be the norm for 2.5°C warming. Since about 1800, the maximum sea ice extent in the Baltic Sea shows a decreasing trend, and reached its lowest value ever in the winter of 2019/20. This decreasing trend is projected to continue.