Editorial

Our climate is changing. We need to adapt to current and expected changes, while maximising our efforts to quickly and sharply reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. And 2015 can be a turning point for global climate policies. Europe and the world must seize the opportunity and allocate sufficient funds to end the carbon dependency of the global economy.

By Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director

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How much does industrial air pollution cost Europe?

'We looked at emissions from more than 14 000 facilities in Europe, and for each one we estimated the damage costs to health and the environment. Collectively, we found that their emissions cost society and the economy at least EUR 59 billion and up to EUR 189 billion in 2012', says Martin Adams.

Interview with Martin Adams on the environmental and economic costs of industrial pollution.
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Air quality: EEA indicator on exceedences in urban areas.

Biodiversity: dataset on nationally designated sites and designations.

Climate change: dataset on mitigation policies and measures in EU Member States; and EEA indicators on Arctic and Baltic sea ice, greenhouse gas emission trends and projections, storms - extreme wind speeds, global and European sea level rise, and floods and health.

Consumption and production: trade balance for food, clothing and electric and electronic goods; net trade flows in soya, meat and dairy products; imports and exports of electrical and electronic goods; EU-27 trade of clothing with the rest of the world.

Energy: EEA indicators on renewable electricity, renewable energy in gross inland energy consumption, energy intensity, and the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption.

Transport: EEA indicators on freight transport demand, exposure to traffic noise, transport emissions of air pollutants, and final energy consumption by mode.

Energy support policies: putting the EU on a low-carbon path?

European countries have increased renewable energy’s share of energy consumption in recent years, in part thanks to support mechanisms for the renewables sector. A new report by the EEA finds that many energy support policies could be better focused to lead the EU more effectively to decarbonise the energy sector. Read more

Europe's transport network vulnerable to climate change

Disasters such as floods and storms have led to several high-profile disruptions of Europe's transport network over the last few years. As the climate changes, the transport system urgently needs to adapt, according to a new assessment.
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More action needed to reduce transport's environmental impact

The transport sector is still generating excessive greenhouse gas emissions and harmful levels of air pollution and noise, according to the latest edition of the European Environment Agency's annual report on environment and transport.
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Industrial air pollution has high economic cost

Air pollution from Europe's largest industrial facilities cost society at least €59 billion, and possibly as much as €189 billion in 2012, according to an assessment published today by the European Environment Agency. Half of these damage costs were caused by just 1 % of the industrial plants.
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Europe's cities still suffering from harmful air pollution

Air pollution in Europe comes with a high price tag, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). While policies have improved air quality overall, air pollution is still the main environmental health hazard, resulting in high costs for health care systems, unhealthy workers and an estimated 400 000 premature deaths in Europe in 2011.
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Car and van makers continue to meet CO2 emission targets ahead of schedule

Almost all car and van manufacturers have met European carbon dioxide emission limits several years ahead of their deadlines, according to updated information from the European Environment Agency.
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Policies put the EU on track to meet its 2020 climate and energy targets but bigger push needed for 2030

European Union (EU) greenhouse gas emissions fell almost 2 % between 2012 and 2013, putting the EU very close to its 2020 reduction target, according to new analysis from the European Environment Agency. The EU is also on track to meet two other targets to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2020.
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Production and consumption systems need fundamental rethink

Production and consumption systems in the European Union have large, global impacts on the environment. More sustainable ways of satisfying our needs are emerging, but they need more support, according to a new assessment.
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Extreme weather driving countries to adapt to climate change

Adapting to climate change has reached the political agenda in most European countries, according to the most comprehensive analysis of adaptation in Europe published to date. Extreme weather events and EU policies were the most common reasons for beginning to address adaptation.
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The European environment - state and outlook 2015 report (SOER 2015) to be published on 4 March 2015

The European Environment Agency's SOER 2015 provides a comprehensive assessment of the European environment's state, trends and prospects, and places it in a global context.

Its broad range of global, European, regional and country-level briefings will be complemented by an overarching synthesis report and a global megatrends report. Read more

EEA signs agreement to work with Copernicus programme

The European Environment Agency will continue to work with Copernicus, the European earth observation programme, after an agreement signed 1 December. Read more

29-30 January 2015 - The Green Growth Knowledge Platform, Venice, Italy

The Third Annual Conference will focus on "Fiscal Policies and the Green Economy Transition: Generating Knowledge – Creating Impact". The event is hosted in partnership with the University of Venice, The Energy and Resources Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme. The EEA Executive Director will give a keynote speech. Read more

2-4 June 2015 - Land Quality and Landscape Processes, Keszthely, Hungary

The conference is organized to facilitate the exchange of information and views among scientists and stakeholders involved in land resources research, land management and land use policy planning. The EEA is one of the co-organisers. Read more

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