News

Transport’s carbon footprint is a major obstacle to achieving a sustainable, low-carbon economy in Europe. A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) urges policy makers to take a fresh approach to address the spiralling growth of transport, supporting “realistic” measures that include pricing schemes for unsustainable mobility and improving citizens’ awareness about the environmental consequences of their shopping basket and travel choices.

Read more

Despite significant emission reductions in recent years, only 11 EU Member States expect to remain within their emission limits for all four air pollutants set by the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive). The nitrogen oxides ceiling remains the most difficult to comply with. This is partly due to the fact that demand for road transport has grown faster than anticipated.

Read more

A step closer to a post-2012 deal on climate change is what is at stake as over 10 000 participants from governments, non-governmental organisations, and science and business communities gather for a two-week UN conference in Poznań, Poland. The European Environment Agency (EEA) is hosting a side event on 'Impacts of and adaptation to climate change in Europe' on 11 December 2008.

Read more

The European Environment Agency has won a national EMAS (Eco-management and audit scheme) award for its efforts in reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency.

Read more

80 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe still come from the energy sector, warns a report from the European Environment Agency released today. The sector continues to have significant impacts on the environment, despite the fact that more efficient production of electricity and heat, together with an increased share of renewable energy sources and replacement of coal and oil with gas are gradually contributing to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutants in Europe.

Read more

Ten years after the signature of the Aarhus Convention, access to environmental information remains a priority. Combating climate change demands a huge involvement from citizens, not just from policymakers and businesses. In order to promote changes leading to better environmental protection, "the public needs to be properly informed and empowered to participate in political debates at all levels, as well being empowered to change their own way of living", says Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director.

Read more

Bioenergy can substantially reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to achieving the EU's renewable energy target, says a new report by the European Environment Agency. Such benefits, however, can only be realised if policy and economic incentives are in place to minimise the potential negative impacts of bioenergy production.

Read more

The EU-15 should meet its collective target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 8 % for the period 2008–2012. Part of this decrease will come from emission reduction projects that EU countries will finance in other countries, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Read more

At the World Conservation Congress currently being held in Barcelona, the European Environment Agency (EEA) presented an analysis of the latest reports from member countries on the state of protected species and habitats in Europe.

Read more

Increasing temperatures, changing precipitation, rising sea level, more intense and frequent extreme weather events and melting glaciers, ice sheets and Arctic sea ice are some of the challenges for Europe already triggered by global climate change, says a report released today by the European Environment Agency, the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

Read more