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European bathing water quality in 2025

This briefing provides information on the quality of Europe’s bathing waters and is complemented by a map viewer to help people make informed decisions about where to bathe. It is based on data reported by EU Member States , Albania and Switzerland, for the 2022-2025 bathing seasons.

Consolidated annual activity report 2025

The report provides an overview of the EEA’s key activities and achievements during the year, as we work to provide timely environmental data, knowledge, assessments and reporting to inform policy makers, the general public and other stakeholders.

Climate resilience in Europe, 2025 — progress and challenges

Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, making climate resilience increasingly urgent. While all EEA member countries have adaptation policies in place, progress remains uneven. Gaps in climate risk assessments, implementation, financing, monitoring and cross-border cooperation limit preparedness. Shared methodologies, metrics and the systematic assessment of adaptation measures, alongside clearer coordination and risk ownership, are needed to track and advance climate resilience across Europe.

Small but mighty — climate resilience in Europe’s small municipalities

This briefing showcases how Europe’s small municipalities are building climate resilience despite size-related challenges. It is based on a literature review, case studies and analysis of two EU-level databases and supports the implementation of the EU climate adaptation strategy.

EEA Communication Strategy 2026-2030

The overall goal of this EEA Communication Strategy 2026-2030 is to respond effectively to the profound shifts in the technological, social and political environment, and to develop EEA communication as a strategic capability that is core to achieving our vision.

Material stocks in a circular economy

This briefing assesses materials accumulated within long-lived products such as buildings and machinery in the EU, and how they can become a source of competitive raw materials from within the EU. It is based on a technical report where more methodological definitions and insights can be found (see Annex I).

The environmental and climate benefits of a circular economy

This briefing estimates the potential environmental and climate benefits of 17 circular economy interventions, modelled across provisioning systems for food, housing, mobility and consumer goods. It indicates that more circularity would substantially contribute to the EU’s  climate and environmental ambitions.

Unlocking the circular economy — investment needs, barriers and enabling conditions

The circular economy is expected to play a key role in strengthening Europe′s competitiveness while also helping to ensure that its environmental objectives are achieved. By reducing dependence on imported raw materials, cutting exposure to volatile global commodity markets and strengthening industrial resilience, circularity is central to Europe's long-term competitiveness. It also represents a strategic economic opportunity.

Artificial intelligence and sustainable consumption in Europe

This briefing outlines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to shape sustainable consumption in Europe, with a particular focus on its implications for achieving climate neutrality.

Navigating Europe’s twin transition — opportunities and challenges of digitalisation in the green transition

To secure competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy, Europe must successfully navigate the interlinked green and digital transitions which are reshaping society. Proactive governance can harness the potential of this twin transition, supporting environmental protection and enabling Europe to thrive.

Addressing ground-level ozone pollution in Europe

This overview of ground-level (or tropospheric) ozone pollution in Europe is based on data reported by EU Member States (EU-27) and is published in the context of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive. Country-specific factsheets have been prepared for all EU-27 countries.

Just transition to a circular economy

This briefing shows how integrating justice into circular economy policies strengthens environmental and social outcomes. It draws on three reports from the European Topic Centre on Circular Economy and Resource Use on a just circular economy ; on operational frameworks and indicators ; and on jobs, skills, and workforce inclusion .

Scaling circular business models in Europe

This briefing investigates how circular business models can be scaled to move Europe towards a more circular economy and identifies critical enablers to make this possible. It builds on an underpinning report from the European Topic Centre on Circular Economy and Resource Use (ETC CE, 2026a).

Key trends and drivers in greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union

From 1990 to 2024, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 40%. While this progress brings the EU closer to its ambitious climate targets, the drivers of GHG emission reductions can also offer environmental, economic and social benefits, including greater energy security and innovation.

Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2024 and inventory document 2026

This report is the official inventory submission of the European Union (EU) for 2026 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was prepared on behalf of the European Commission (DG CLIMA) by the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) and its European Topic Centre on Climate Change Mitigation (ETC/CM), supported by Eurostat.

EEA Human Resources Framework 2021-2030

The Human Resources Framework sets out the EEA’s strategic approach to human resources for 2021-2030, aligning people management with the EEA‑Eionet Strategy . The Framework outlines how the EEA will attract and develop talent, strengthen leadership, foster well‑being and enable smarter ways of working. It will ensure that staff capabilities continue to support the delivery of high‑quality, policy‑relevant environmental and climate knowledge for Europe.

Extensive livestock systems and nature in Europe

Extensive grazing systems play a critical role in managing Europe’s landscapes and nature, and in reducing wildfire risk. About 10-15% of all European Union (EU) cattle, sheep and goats are needed to manage habitats of EU interest by grazing, with large variation between EU-27 countries.

Building climate-resilient agriculture in Europe: an economic perspective

This briefing links climate hazards to farm vulnerability and economic impacts and synthesises quantified findings from 51 European farm-level case studies to demonstrate that climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is a strategic economic imperative for Europe’s food security and rural prosperity.

EU new Emissions Trading System (ETS2) and Social Climate Fund: Mechanisms, challenges and conditions for a fair decarbonisation in road transport

This briefing analyses the opportunities and challenges arising from the introduction of the European Union’s (EU’s) new Emissions Trading System (ETS2) in road transport. It underscores the critical role of carbon pricing as a driver of the transition while emphasising that real progress will rely on coherent supporting policies, clear communication, broad public backing and robust safeguards for social fairness .

EU Emissions Trading System (ETS2) and Social Climate Fund: Mechanisms, challenges and conditions for a fair decarbonisation in buildings

This briefing examines the opportunities and challenges arising from the introduction of the EU’s new Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2) in the buildings sector. It underscores how carbon pricing can be a powerful driver of change when supported by well-designed complementary policies, broad public support and strong social safeguards .

Pollution and mental health — current scientific evidence

This briefing discusses the evidence that is currently available on the associations between environmental pollution and mental health. It is based on a review of the scientific literature, and it supports the zero pollution action plan (ZPAP) and the European Union’s (EU’s) Eighth Environment Action Programme (8 th EAP). Related content can be found here: Climate change impacts on mental health in Europe ; Impact of air pollution on mental health (signal) .

Zero-pollution, decarbonisation, and circular economy in energy-intensive industries

This briefing presents key air pollutant trends and projections for energy-intensive industries in Europe. It also discusses greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends over the past two decades. It outlines technology pathways and opportunities for industrial transformation related to zero pollution, decarbonisation and circularity in the context of the Clean Industrial Deal (CID).

Assessing the climate mitigation potential of the circular economy

This briefing provides information about the interlinkages between circular economy and climate change mitigation. It is based on a literature review of recent modelling results and supports the 2025 Clean Industrial Deal and 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan.

EEA-Eionet Strategy 2021-2030 – Update January 2026

This document presents the vision and strategic objectives that will shape the work of the European Environment Agency and European Environment Information and Observation Network in the upcoming period to 2030. The work will be carried out under the three areas of work identified in the document. More detailed information on concrete activities will be provided in Single Programming Documents.

Overheated and underprepared — Europeans' experience of living with climate change

This report was jointly developed by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) and is based on the findings from an online survey. It explores the experiences of climate-related impacts, resilience actions taken at home, the perception of local actions implemented, and concerns about future impacts among a sample of Europeans.