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EEA Signals 2020: Towards zero pollution in Europe

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Page Last modified 12 May 2022
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What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

The EEA Signals report is an annual, easy-to-read publication, consisting of a series of short articles, that looks at key issues related to the environment and climate. Recent EEA Signals reports have looked at soil (2019), water (2018), energy (2017).

 

Editorial — Towards zero pollution in Europe

Hans Bruyninckx


"For the first time in modern history, we have the means to aspire to generating heat and electricity, moving around and growing food without harmful pollution. We no longer need to accept pollution that affects people and the environment as an inevitable side product of progress."

 Hans Bruyninckx 
EEA Executive Director

What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

Contents



 

The European Commission's zero pollution ambition

The European Commission has recently published the roadmap for the EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition. The roadmap is open for public feedback until 29 October 2020.

 

Interview —
Does the polluter pay?

 

Professor Geert Van Calster
University of Leuven

Interview — Addressing environmental risks to health

Francesca Racioppi
WHO European Centre for
Environment and Health

 

 

Interact

 

QUIZ - Test your knowledge: Towards Zero Pollution in Europe
Feedback survey - EEA Signals 2020: Towards Zero Pollution in Europe

COVID-19 and air pollution


A decrease in many societal and economic activities during the pandemic led to a decrease in emissions and subsequent levels of certain air pollutants. For example, the use of vehicles declined during lockdowns and this led to lower nitrogen dioxide concentrations in many cities across Europe.

Find out more in EEA post corona planet platform 

Explore

 

What is pollution?

Pollution changes a medium such as air, water or soil in a way that can make it harmful to people or nature. Different types of pollutants include chemicals, dust, noise and radiation. EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

 

Explore all infographics 

Cover image © Marco Gon, REDISCOVER Nature /EEA

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union did not affect the production of this report. Data reported by the United Kare included in all analyses and assessments contained herein, unless otherwise indicated.

Identifiers

Title: EEA Signals 2020: Towards zero pollution in Europe
PDF - TH-AP-20-669-EN-N - ISBN 978-92-9480-267-5 - ISSN 2443-7492- doi: 10.2800/40627
HTML - TH-AP-20-669-EN-Q - ISBN 978-92-9480-295-8 - ISSN 2467-7492- doi: 10.2800/690254

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Related publications

Publication EEA Signals 2020 — Towards zero pollution in Europe What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.
Publication EEA SIGNALS 2019 - Land and soil in Europe We cannot live without healthy land and soil. It is on land that we produce most of our food and we build our homes. For all species — animals and plants living on land or water — land is vital. Soil — one of the essential components of land — is a very complex and often undervalued element, teeming with life. Unfortunately, the way we currently use land and soil in Europe and in the world is not sustainable. This has significant impacts on life on land.
Publication EEA SIGNALS 2018 Water is life Europe's rivers, lakes and seas are under pressure from pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. How can we ensure a sustainable use of this vital resource?
Publication Signals 2017 - Shaping the future of energy in Europe: Clean, smart and renewable The European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes Signals annually, providing a snapshot of issues of interest to the environmental debate and the wider public. Signals 2017 focuses on energy.
Publication SIGNALS 2016 - Towards clean and smart mobility Transport and environment in Europe
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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/signals/signals-2020/signals-2020-towards-zero-pollution or scan the QR code.

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