European Environment Agency's Newsletter, Issue 04/2023

Your quarterly update on Europe's environment

European Environment Agency's Newsletter, Issue 04/2023

Cleaner air, a stable climate
and healthier lives

The European Union has made substantial progress in improving air quality by adopting and implementing policies and measures since the 1980s. Yet, air pollution continues to pose the greatest environmental risk to people’s health in Europe. This risk is even higher when combined with climate change impacts, such as extreme heat, affecting vulnerable groups, like the elderly and children the most.

You might ask why take action? It is because these deaths attributed to air pollution can be prevented. It is because we can improve the everyday lives of millions of Europeans, whose health and quality of life are affected by air pollution – severely or discreetly.
Leena Ylä-Mononen, EEA Executive Director



Read editorial

Interview



What is the role of biomass in Europe's sustainability ambitions?

"There is strong competition for biomass because the same type of biomass can have multiple end-uses and functions, including for nature and biodiversity. Biomass removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores carbon both in living biomass and biomass products. Biomass replaces fossil and mineral-based materials with bio-based materials and products, which can reduce greenhouse gas emission. Biomass also needs to be restored for nature purposes and biodiversity to maintain the diversity of European landscapes."
Interview with Katarzyna Kowalczewska, EEA expert on agriculture and LULUCF integration

Read full interview

In the spotlight: Climate and energy
How is the EU performing towards the 2030 targets?

Greenhouse gas emissions dropped by two percent last year across the European Union, compared to 2021 levels according to estimates in the latest European Environment Agency ‘Trends and Projections’ report. However, despite gains made in emissions reductions, renewable energy and energy efficiency, the report cautions that accelerated action is urgently needed to meet the EU’s ambitious climate and energy targets.

As greenhouse gas emissions returned to a downward trajectory following the 2021 rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic, Member States also reported a higher level of ambition for 2030 reductions and thousands of national policies and measures to deliver on climate and energy objectives. While the report highlights some encouraging signs of progress, it also emphasises that efforts will need to at least double to reach the ambitious targets set for the end of this decade.

More about our Trends and Projections package

Latest indicators
Transport




New registrations of electric vehicles in Europe
Use of renewable energy for transport in Europe
Greenhouse gas emissions from transport in Europe
Greenhouse gas emission intensity of fuels and biofuels for road transport in Europe
Share of buses and trains in inland passenger transport
Climate change

Hydrofluorocarbon phase-down in Europe
Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in Europe
Greenhouse gas emissions under the EU Emissions Trading System
Progress towards national greenhouse gas emissions targets in Europe
Greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land use change and forestry in Europe
Total net greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe
Fossil fuel subsidies
Economic losses from weather- and climate-related extremes in Europe
Energy

Greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation in Europe
Share of energy consumption from renewable sources in Europe
Primary and final energy consumption in Europe
Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Pollution


Eutrophication caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe
Premature deaths due to exposure to fine particulate matter in Europe
Exposure of Europe's ecosystems to ozone
Nitrate in groundwater
Oxygen consuming substances in European rivers

Production and consumption
Europe’s material footprint
Biodiversity

Forest connectivity in Europe
Agricultural area under organic farming in Europe
Drought impact on ecosystems in Europe

Upcoming events



World Circular Economy Forum 2024
14-18 April, Brussels, online
The world’s leading event for circular economy thinkers, doers and leaders hits Brussels in April 2024, showcasing the most impactful circular solutions from around the world. Online participation is open to everyone.
Read more

Catch up on the latest news from Q4 2023

Image Stanislav Shmelev, NATURE@work /EEA
Warming, acidification, dropping oxygen levels threaten Europe’s seas
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Image © Renáta Icsu, My City/EEA
Air pollution levels still too high across Europe – remains top environmental health risk
Read more

Image © Gert-jan Rodenboog, Well with Nature /EEA
Nature-based solutions play crucial role in building Europe’s climate resilience
Read more



Image © Ufuk Turpcan, ZeroWaste PIX / EEA
Winners of EEA’s 2023 Zero Waste PIX photo competition announced

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Image Dan Otis on UnsplashImage
Urgent need to consider how to best use biomass in Europe
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Image Noah Buscher on Unsplash

Investing in green industry can help keep sustainability momentum in Europe

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Image
Nikolaus Spannbauer, Well with Nature /EEA

EU’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped last year, but accelerated efforts still needed to meet ambitious 2030 targets
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Image
Billy Horan, Environment & Me /EEA
Heatwaves, droughts, other extreme weather events increasingly influencing adaptation policies
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Image
Goran Grudic, Climate Change PIX /EEA

Rapid growth in renewables calls for greater cooperation among Member States to double flexibility in the EU power system

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Image
Rosana Grecchi, Sustainably Yours /EEA

People first: how do we make Europe’s shift to sustainability inclusive?

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