Editorial

"As we mark the 25th anniversary of the EEA, we will be reflecting with our partners and network on our past and future contributions and how we, together, can best accommodate change and help achieve Europe’s long-term sustainability.

Our legacy does not need to be one of environmental degradation we failed to stop, but one of a turning point where we reversed the degradation by taking decisive action. When thousands of students hit the streets calling for action and the majority of Europeans express their concern about the environment and climate change, it is time to take bolder measures."

Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director

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"The main problem with plastic is that we keep consuming more and more and inevitably that becomes waste. We will see more and more plastic waste being generated in the future and we need to deal with that. In terms of prevention, I think the focus on packaging waste is correct because it is the largest share of plastic products that we consume, followed by plastics found in electronics and construction."

Interview with Ioannis Bakas on preventing plastic waste based on the EEA's recent report.  

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Despite some promising efforts to address the growing problem of plastic waste like banning plastic shopping bags or straws, specific prevention targets for different plastic waste are still not widespread in Europe. Only nine countries have explicit targets in place for plastic waste prevention. Read more

Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union increased by 0.7% in 2017. Less coal was used to produce heat and electricity but this was offset by higher industrial and transport emissions, the latter increasing for the fourth consecutive year. Read more

CleanAir@School initiative is putting focus on air quality around Europe’s schools by involving children, parents and teachers in measuring pollutant concentrations. The project is a joint initiative of the European Environment Agency and the European Network of the Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies. Read more

Healthy forests, soils, seas and other ecosystems form Europe’s ‘natural capital’, which is vital for our well-being and the economy. The European Environment Agency’s new analysis looks at how to measure the condition of Europe’s natural capital and provides a first overview of the state and trends of Europe’s ecosystems. Read more

There is a shared vision to achieve clean, non toxic seas but their contamination with synthetic substances as well as heavy metals continues to be a large-scale problem in Europe. Between 75 and 96% of the assessed area of Europe’s regional seas have a contamination problem. Read more

All but three car manufacturers met their specific emission targets in 2017, based on current European vehicle test rules. Nevertheless, average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in the European Union in 2017 rose by 0.4 grammes of CO2 per kilometre from 2016. This increase brings car manufacturers further away from their 2021 targets. Read more

Maintaining natural capital is vital for the function of our societies and people’s well-being. A new briefing from the European Environment Agency analyses how to plan for green infrastructure and ecosystem restoration, which in turn can enhance biodiversity, support green economy and create job opportunities. Read more

Direct emissions released to water bodies from Europe’s large industrial sites have decreased in recent years for many pollutants. However, industrial pollution transferred through the sewer systems to urban waste water treatment plants has slightly increased, putting pressure on the waste water treatment infrastructure. Read more

Implementing EU air quality legislation to protect human health and the environment from pollution can be demanding for countries and cities. The European Environment Agency has worked together with a number of European cities to better understand policy implementation challenges. The new report summarises key findings on the cities’ progress over the past five years and highlights on-going challenges for improving air quality at the local level. Read more

Just over 85% of bathing water sites across Europe monitored last year met the European Union’s highest ‘excellent’ and most stringent quality standards for water cleanliness, according to the latest annual European bathing water quality report. The results give a good indication of where the best quality bathing waters are likely to be found this summer. Read more

The event incorporates a policy conference in Brussels, bringing together policy makers and energy stakeholders to debate new policy developments, best practices and sustainable energy ideas. The EEA will present a new report at a side event on 18 June (14.00-15.30). Read more

Before marking our 25th anniversary on 19 June, we will be discussing with Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, and Per Mickwitz, Chair of EEA Scientific Committee, at how environmental knowledge and policy have changed in the last 25 years and what it might look like in the future. You may submit your questions on the FB event page. Read more

The European Environment Agency will mark its 25th anniversary with Eionet and key partners, highlighting its past and future contributions to environmental knowledge and policy making in Europe.

The IUCN Regional Conservation Forum for Europe, North and Central Asia will meet to prepare for the IUCN Congress 2020. EEA Executive Director will take part in a high-level panel discussion on post 2020 biodiversity framework. Read more

This Finnish Presidency event consists of three parallel conferences on: Sustainable transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient circular economy - creating the knowledge base; Sustainable and Smart Manufacturing; and Sustainable innovation. The EEA will presenting its work on circular economy. Read more

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