European Environment Agency

Imagine #bathingwaters so clean that you can go for a dip in the centre of a European capital! Once unimaginable, with concrete actions and EU policies, this became a reality and an opportunity for an annual celebration in Copenhagen. Today, staff and family members of the European Environment Agency and European Commission Representation in Denmark took part again in the annual Copenhagen Swim event. Some were there to swim, others to cheer #TeamEurope. #WaterWiseEU #EUiDK Leena Yla-Mononen, Eric Mamer, Per Haugaard European Commission

Many thanks to MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen and her staff for visiting us today in Copenhagen with our Executive Director Leena Yla-Mononen and other EEA staff to discuss the important role of research, as well as other climate and environment topics and our coming Europe's environment 2025 report.

Let’s try something new: #JeopardEEA! Test your knowledge! You know, where the quiz format is flipped: instead of being given a question, you’re given an answer, and you must respond with the question in the comments. The category is 🤓 'technical terms used in the environmental field' 🤓 and browsing through the images below, you can see the three answers. 💬 Think you know some of the questions? Reply in the comments! (We’ll post the right questions on Monday!) #ClimateQuiz #ClimateChange #Environment

🦠 Algae 🍌 Food waste 🪵 Wood fibres. Bio-based innovation is gaining ground. Our latest briefing on the topic identifies a set of 23 bio-based innovations with high potential to support the forthcoming updated EU bioeconomy strategy. The assessment highlights the potential for upscaling solutions that reduce fossil fuel use and environmental pressures, contributing to EU climate and biodiversity goals. Check out the list of 23 bio-based innovations shortlisted for analysis in our report: https://lnkd.in/d79FPiA5 #BioEconomy #BiobasedInnovations #Biodiversity

Yesterday, 50 of our EEA colleagues laughed, leapt and cheered each other on along the 5km route in downtown Fælledparken. How cool is that?! Salute them here with a 👏 and remember to also enjoy your local urban green spaces. 💚Green spaces💚such as parks, gardens or green walls work as nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation e.g. providing urban cooling and reducing flood risks. They are also locations that enable physical activity, mental well-being and social interaction - which we experienced first hand yesterday when participating in the annual relay race #DHLstafetten in Copenhagen🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️ #GreenSpaces #PhysicalActivity Photo credits: Ragnhildur Finnbjörnsdóttir

🌿 Europe’s land carbon sink has declined — but the potential remains high. The EU’s forests and soils are absorbing less CO₂ than before, land removals dropping by 30% in the last decade. The target for land removals of CO₂ for 2030 is at risk. A new EEA report highlights the urgent need to protect and restore this natural ally. The sector still holds major potential to support climate neutrality and deliver significant co-benefits for people and nature — if we invest in the right solutions, for example: ✅ Improved forest- and soil management ✅ Planting trees ✅ Avoiding the conversion of high-carbon land and forests ✅ Ecosystem restoration and resilience ✅ More efficient biomass use 🔍 Enhanced monitoring and reporting will be a key enabling factor. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dfTkAGMZ #ClimateAction #CarbonSink #Forests #LandUse #LULUCF

At World Water Week 2025, the focus is clear: Water For Climate Action - recognizing that safeguarding water is essential for climate stability and equity. Our latest EEA briefing on the topic of #WaterResilience reveals that with smarter water use the EU can significantly strengthen water resilience in the face of climate pressures. That means cutting losses, boosting efficiency in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and public supply, and diversifying sources like reuse and rainwater. 🌊Let’s champion smarter water systems—not just for access, but for climate action🌍 The report is available here: https://lnkd.in/dt5UaY8y #WWWeek #WaterForClimate

🔌⚡ Renewables and electrification are driving Europe’s clean energy transition. Over the last decade, the EU Member States have made rapid progress in moving away from fossil fuels and toward more sustainable energy sources — especially in electricity, but also in heating and transport. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions have decreased significantly. In 2023, levels were 37% lower than in 1990 (and 30.5% below 2005 levels) — a clear sign that change is possible. 📉 But to increase competitiveness and fossil fuel independence, we must accelerate the rollout of renewables and step up energy efficiency efforts. The transition is happening, but what will it take to drive it forward?🌍 Read our report on the topic: https://lnkd.in/diAVnRgD #EnergyTransition #GreenGrowth #CleanEnergy #EUClimate

🌍 ⚡ 🌱Electrification and uptake of renewables is not just about achieving climate targets. It is an opportunity to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. That would lower wholesale electricity prices in the medium term, and reinforce Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical context. Find out more about our report: https://lnkd.in/deJwbvtD #climatechange #renewables #electrification

This summer’s wildfires are not only a climate and nature crisis—they are a human one. 🔥 Area burnt: 967,026 ha (2025 to date, according to the European Forest Fire Information System), more than 4× last year’s level at this point 🔥 Fires: 1,784 (up from 1,185 last year) 🔥 CO₂ emissions: 38.04 Mt (vs 10.82 Mt last year) Across Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and beyond, fires have forced evacuations, closed transport routes and damaged homes and local businesses. Each data point reflects families uprooted and communities that will need support long after the flames are out. What helps: early warning, fuel management, resilient land use, and fast cross-border assistance—backed by sustained investment. Learn more about the effects of wildfires on communities: https://lnkd.in/e-Gt9pMG #Wildfires #Displacement #ClimateAdaptation #Resilience #ClimateChange