Infographics

Infographics — 11 Mar 2015

EEA infographics provide visual presentations of the issues affecting Europe’s environment. They highlight factors contributing to environmental change as well as the impacts of environmental degradation.

Marine-litter watch — 27 Apr 2021

How are the environment and our well-being and health connected? — 12 Mar 2015

Natural resources fuel our production and consumption, and create wealth and jobs, contributing to our quality of life and well-being. But our level of resource consumption is undermining our ecosystems’ capacity to provide for us in the future.

Why should we care about air pollution? — 04 Dec 2013

Air pollution impacts human health, contributes to climate change and damages ecosystems. Here are some of the pollutants the ‘Air quality in Europe – 2013 report’ investigates and their potential impacts.

Many factors contribute to air pollution concentration levels — 04 Dec 2013

Emission levels are not the only factor that determines concentrations of air pollutants. Factors like the weather, chemical transformations in the air, and transport of pollutants from outside Europe all play a role. This means that a reduction in emissions of a pollutant do not always translate to an equivalent reduction in concentrations of that pollutant.

How can we make our economy circular and resource efficient? — 11 Mar 2015

Currently, we are using more resources than our planet can produce in a given time. We need to reduce the amount of waste we generate and the amount of materials we extract.

Europe’s waste streams — 12 Mar 2015

In total, about 2500 million tonnes of waste was generated in the EU-28 and Norway in 2010. Here is an overview of where the waste came from and what it was composed of.

How can we reduce and make better use of waste? — 12 Mar 2015

The best way to reduce the environmental impacts of waste is to prevent it in the first place. Many items that we throw away could also be re-used, and others can be recycled for raw materials.

How much of our municipal waste do we recycle? — 12 Mar 2015

Much of the waste we throw away can be recycled. Recycling benefits the environment by diverting waste away from landfills and by providing raw materials for new products. Recycling can also encourage innovation and create jobs.

What are the sources of food waste in Europe? — 12 Mar 2015

Around one third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted. Food waste represents a substantial loss of other resources such as land, water, energy and labour.

How does the food we buy, eat and don’t eat impact the environment? — 12 Mar 2015

Before reaching our plates, food needs to be produced, processed, packaged, transported and distributed. Every step uses up resources and generates more waste and pollution.

Why should we avoid sending waste to landfills? — 04 Dec 2013

What are the sources and impacts of marine litter? — 12 Mar 2015

Increasing amounts of litter are ending up in the world’s oceans and harming the health of ecosystems, killing animals and putting human health at risk. The solution lies in waste prevention and better waste management on land.

Transport in cities — 04 Dec 2013

Many European cities are rapidly transforming urban transport. However, while cycling and efficient public transport are becoming the norm in some urban areas, Europe’s transport sector is still a major contributor to excessive levels of greenhouse gases, air pollution and noise. EEA

Reducing environmental impacts of transport — 10 Dec 2014

Several EU targets have been set to reduce the environmental impacts of transport in Europe, including its greenhouse gas emissions. The transport sector’s targets are part of the EU’s overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 80-95% by 2050.

Many Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution — 10 Dec 2014

Up to 30 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to air pollutant levels exceeding EU air quality standards. And around 95 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to levels of air pollutants deemed damaging to health by the World Health Organization’s more stringent guidelines.

Europe's climate is changing — 15 Oct 2015

A changing climate will affect almost every aspect of our lives. Increased intensity and frequency of rainfall in many parts of Europe will mean frequent and serious flooding events. Elsewhere in Europe, including in southern Europe, higher temperatures and reduced rainfall will mean that many areas might face droughts.

Are we ready for climate change? — 15 Oct 2015

Climate change is causing a variety of impacts to our health, ecosystems and economy. These impacts are likely to become more serious in the coming decades. If not addressed, these impacts could prove very costly, in terms of ill health, adverse effects on ecosystems, and damaged property and infrastructure.

Climate change and the seas — 15 Oct 2015

Climate change is warming the oceans, causing acidification of marine environments, and changing rainfall patterns. This combination of factors often exacerbates of other human pressures on the seas, leading to biodiversity loss in the oceans.

Climate change and agriculture — 15 Oct 2015

Agriculture both contributes to climate change and is affected by climate change. The EU needs to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions from agriculture and adapt its food-production system to cope with climate change. Faced with growing global demand and competition for resources, the EU's food production and consumption need to be seen in a broader context, linking agriculture, energy, and food security.

Soil and climate change — 15 Oct 2015

Soil is an important and often neglected element of the climate system. It is the second largest carbon store, or "sink", after the oceans. Restoring key ecosystems on land, and a sustainable use of the land in urban and rural areas, can help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Mitigating climate change — 15 Oct 2015

The European Union's effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions are working. In fact, the EU is expected to meet its unilateral 20 % reduction target (compared to 1990) ahead of the agreed 2020 deadline. Moreover, the EU intends to reduce domestic emissions by at least 40 % by 2030 and further decarbonise its economy by 2050. The EU currently emits around 10 % of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

Circular economy — 18 Jan 2016

A simplified model of the circular economy for materials and energy

Flexibilities in the NEDC test approval procedure — 27 Jan 2016

Flexibilities exploited by manufacturers during the NEDC test cycle can be broadlygrouped into two categories: those relevant to the initial coast-down test and thoserelevant to the type approval test itself.

Different types of emissions from vehicles — 27 Jan 2016

The different types of emissions from vehicles, and a comparison of the relative amounts of selected pollutants released by the latest Euro 6 petrol and diesel vehicles.

Comparison of NOx emission standards for different Euro classes — 27 Jan 2016

Real-world NOX emissions from petrol cars in the EU have decreased significantly since 2000, in line with the increasingly stringent emission limits. In significant contrast, the emissions from diesel cars have not improved much over the same period, meaning reductions from diesels have not been as large in reality as originally foreseen in legislation.

Air pollution: from emissions to exposure — 27 Jan 2016

Poor air quality is a serious health and environmental problem. Certain harmful air pollutants are emitted directly from vehicles, such as ‘primary’ particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). Others, such as ozone and ‘secondary’ PM, form in the atmosphere after emissions of precursor pollutants, including NOX and volatile organic compounds. Different sources of pollution, including transport and non-transport sources, emit different types and ratios of pollutants.

Air pollution exposure in cities — 29 Jun 2016

Many Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution. Up to 30 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to air pollutant levels exceeding EU air quality standards. And around 98 % of Europeans living in cities are exposed to levels of air pollutants deemed damaging to health by the World Health Organization’s more stringent guidelines.

EU targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — 29 Jun 2016

Several EU targets have been set to reduce the environmental impacts of transport in Europe, including its greenhouse gas. The transport sector’s targets are part of the EU’s overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 – 95 % by 2050.

Vehicle emissions and efficiency — 29 Jun 2016

Fossil fuel powered road transport represents the most significant source of transport related air pollution. Each vehicle releases pollutants from a number of sources.

Temperature inversion traps pollution at ground level — 29 Jun 2016

Pollution events are more likely to occur under temperature inversion conditions. During extended periods of high pressure in winter months, solar radiation reaches the ground, warming it up. At night, the lack of cloud cover means the ground loses heat rapidly and the air in contact with the ground becomes colder. The warmer air rises and acts as a lid trapping the colder air close to the ground. Pollution, including that from road traffic is also trapped, so the air layer closest to the ground becomes more and more polluted. This continues until the prevailing meteorological conditions change.

Noise pollution in Europe — 29 Jun 2016

Noise pollution is a growing environmental concern, arising from a number of sources. The adverse effects of noise pollution can be found in the well- being of exposed human populations, in the health and distribution of wildlife, as well as in the abilities of children to learn at school.

Fuel types and GHG emissions — 29 Jun 2016

Transport demand is closely linked to economic activity: in periods of growth, economic output goes up, more goods are transported and more people travel. The impacts of transport on human health, the environment and climate change are closely linked to the choice of fuel. Clean alternative fuels, including electricity, are already available and can constitute viable options to petrol and diesel. Trip length plays a role in determining the suitability of the fuel type.

Bathing water quality in Europe — 30 May 2017

Bathing water quality is improving in Europe. In 2016, the vast majority (85.5 %) of the more than 21,000 monitored bathing sites had excellent water quality. About two thirds of all monitored sites are by the coast and one third in inland rivers and lakes.

Food system outcomes — 17 Oct 2017

The complexity of the food system requires a framework to better understand where and how to act.

Phosphorus and nitrogen flows and the EU food system — 17 Oct 2017

How efficiently nutrients are used is a critical issue for a sustainable food system and the circular economy. Analysis of the N and P flows through the agricultural food system show major losses (80% for N and 70% for P). Of the total input in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers, only 20-30% is actually embedded in the food that reaches consumers plates.

Food system outcomes — 18 Oct 2017

In the EU today, 5 of the 7 biggest risk factors for premature death – blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and alcohol abuse – are in part related to how we eat and drink. The average yearly food intake by a European adult is shown below. In 2014, more than 50% of the European population was overweight, with over 20% classified as obese.

EU animal feed imports and land dependency — 18 Oct 2017

In a global food system, Europe’s imports and their consumption have an environmental, social and economic impact beyond European borders. In 2013, Europe had net imports of around 27 million tonnes of soybeans and soybean products for oil production and animal feed. This means Europe is dependent on overseas land for its own livestock production most of which is in South America.

Actors in the food chain — 18 Oct 2017

Food system actors represent the largest group of natural resource managers in the world. They are critical in both creating the problems and implementing the solutions. Identifying actors along the food chain as well as where and how power is located enables policy makers to develop management approaches targeted towards those actors with influence. In addition to those directly involved in food chain activities, governments and civil society are also important as they set the wider policy and societal context.

The global mercury cycle — 27 Sep 2018

Origin of mercury deposited in Sweden in 2014 — 27 Sep 2018

Bioaccumulation of mercury within species and biomagnification in the food web — 27 Sep 2018

Mercury concentration range in fish caught in the western Mediterranean — 27 Sep 2018

Impact of mercury on European water quality — 27 Sep 2018

DEMOCOPHES study - Mercury levels in hair of mothers as a percentage of the Europe-wide average — 28 Sep 2018

Global mine production of mercury from 1900 to 2016 — 28 Sep 2018

Mercury consumption by region and activity, 2015 — 28 Sep 2018

Estimates of mercury consumption in the EU for 2007, 2015, 2021 — 28 Sep 2018

Main global potential sources of mercury emissions — 28 Sep 2018

Global mercury releases to air in 2010, by main source — 28 Sep 2018

Global mercury emissions to air in 2010, by region, distinguishing between small-scale gold mining and other sources — 28 Sep 2018

Mercury's human uptake potential and relevant impacts — 28 Sep 2018

E-PRTR data on emissions to water from large industrial activities — 28 Sep 2018

Objective and focus areas of the Minamata Convention on Mercury — 28 Sep 2018

Examples of food safety advice on fish consumption from EU Member States — 28 Sep 2018

Examples of individual actions to minimise exposure to and release of mercury — 28 Sep 2018

Trend in EU mercury emissions to air 1990 2016 — 28 Sep 2018

Impact of mercury on European water quality — 03 Dec 2018

e-waste — 28 Oct 2019

Batteries — 28 Oct 2019

Textile waste — 11 Oct 2019

Plastic waste — 28 Oct 2019

Extra-EU-28 plastic waste trade by receiving country — 06 Nov 2019

Examples of circular actions that improve the management of construction and demolition waste — 27 Jan 2020

Living well within planetary limits - bridging the gap between science and policy — 22 Jun 2020

Planetary boundaries are adapted from Rockström et al. (2009). Many United Nations, regional and EU policies address the risks of transgressing these boundaries. Policies for addressing the 'novel entities' boundary, i.e. hazardous substances, pharmaceuticals, etc., in Europe, are illustrated to the right and set in the context of the 7th EAP, i.e. 'living well, within limits' (EEA, 2018a). BSAP, Baltic Sea Action Plan; WFD, Water Framework Directive; SDG, Sustainable Development Goal; REACH, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restrictions of Chemicals (Regulation); WSSD, World Summit on Sustainable Development; MSFD, Marine Strategy Frameworkd Directive.

The constituents of marine natural capital — 22 Jun 2020

Marine ecosystem services and examples of their benefits for people — 22 Jun 2020

Marine messages II classification of EU coastal and maritime activities — 22 Jun 2020

The constituents of marine natural capital in a socio‑economic context — 22 Jun 2020

Schematic representation of limits of circularity in the EU-27, 2019 — 11 Jan 2021

Seven common types of plastics, with symbols and applications — 27 Apr 2021

Challenges in shifting from a linear towards a circular plastics system — 27 Apr 2021

EU-28 plastic waste exports, 2002-2018 — 27 Apr 2021

EU-28 exports of plastics, 2015-2019, tonnes per month — 27 Apr 2021

Shale gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing — 27 Apr 2021

Emissions to air and water from an oil platform — 27 Apr 2021

The breakdown of a plastic bottle into smaller fragments, eventually ending up as micro- and nano-plastics — 27 Apr 2021

Sources and pathways of plastics in the environment — 27 Apr 2021

Scope of different pathways towards a more sustainable plastic system — 27 Apr 2021

Environmental impacts — 27 Apr 2021

Schematic illustration for calculating the value of meff, measuring landscape fragmentation — 17 Jun 2022

Europe currently demands around 20 million tonnes of plastic for packaging — 19 Jan 2023

The figure shows the change in plastics demand for packaging in Europe.

Nearly 40 percent of plastic demand comes from the production of plastic packaging — 19 Jan 2023

The figure shows estimated Market Demand in 2021 for the EU-27 plus United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Norwey in percentages. The above data are rounded estimations. Demand data are built on estimations of quantities bought by European converters, including imports. Demand for recycled plastics and bio-based/bio-attributed plastics is not included. Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles, adhesives, sealants, coatings, etc.) are not included.

Total amounts of generated PPSI (plastic packaging and small non-packaging plastic items) waste (million tonnes) that is managed (light orange) and mismanaged (dark orange) in overall EEA-32 countries and United Kingdom, in 2012 and 2018 — 19 Jan 2023

See report Marine Litter in Europe-An integrated assessment from source to sea (https://forum.eionet.europa.eu/etc-icm-consortium/library/subvention-2022/tasks-and-milestones-2022/1.1.8.1-marine-litter-assessment/milestone-2-addressing-comments-eea-and-finalization-assessment-report/final-version-november-2022-eea-approval/etc-icm_marine-litter-assessment_master_v5.2_06112022_for-eea-approval)

Where does marine litter come from? — 19 Jan 2023