Inside the EEA

At the EEA, we aim to integrate the values that underpin what we do into our workplace. As an organisation, we consistently strive to build a culture that stands for equality, diversity and sustainability.

The EEA offers to candidates from diverse professional backgrounds an international and stimulating working environment. Whatever your role, you will contribute to our collective purpose to provide evidence-based knowledge on Europe’s environment and climate.

The EEA’s thematic and horizontal programmes

Working at the EEA

The EEA employs various profiles of environment, climate and sustainability experts, as well as data management and visualisation experts. We also welcome broader profiles with expertise in innovation, cybersecurity, communication and procurement, talent management, financial management and more from the EU and EEA member countries. We value our employees' unique skills, experience and perspectives, and work hard to create an empowering work environment that provides a sense of community. With a career at the EEA, you can grow professionally and personally thanks to training opportunities, flexible work arrangements and more.  

As an EU agency, the EEA only accepts applications from nationals of the EU and the agency’s member countries (the 27 European Union Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye).

The EEA offers three contract types; learn more about them here. Staff are recruited through open selection procedures. Specific information about application and selection procedures can be found within each vacancy notice. We do not accept unsolicited applications.

Traineeships

Each year, the EEA, being a learning organisation, welcomes several trainees through the European Commission’s Blue Book Traineeship programme.

As a trainee at the EEA, you gain hands-on experience by participating in the daily operations of the agency. Trainees come from various academic backgrounds, Member States and experience levels, and work with teams throughout the agency.

What our staff and trainees say about us

Here’s what a few EEA staff and trainees have to say about what it’s like to work at the EEA.

Why did you want to work at the EEA?

I came across the EEA while doing a traineeship at ACER. I saw that they had a unit covering both climate and energy issues, which are two sectors that resonate with my background and passions. Having the opportunity to work on these topics, coupled with the attractive package and privilege to live in Copenhagen parallel to working for the EU, were all contributing factors to my desire to apply here. And it was only once I was offered a position that I realised my contract can eventually become indefinite, which is an additional bonus!

Expert, Climate Change Mitigation and Energy

After feeling like I got "stuck" in my commercial role in several startups, I felt like I needed a change and return to learning what I had actually studied for. I thought a traineeship would help make that switch easier and more coherent, and equip me with the necessary skills to change my career path successfully. This is why I applied for the Bluebook Traineeship in the first place. Moreover, loving Scandinavia and especially Copenhagen, I was happy to see positions offered outside of Brussels, so in the end the choice was easy! The EEA connects my studies, my interest in environmental topics and my love for the city perfectly.
Tanja Tuffers
Trainee, March-August 2024

Trainee, October 2023 - February 2024

I have always had an interest in the science-policy interface and in supporting cooperation for climate and environmental action on a larger scale. This, together with my appreciation for transdisciplinary approaches since university, is why the work at the EEA in particular called out to me.

My motivation is to contribute to climate policymaking, producing useful data and insights on the current situation for climate, energy and transport.
Camilo Franco
Expert, Transport and Environment

I wanted to work at the EEA because of the thematic areas we focus on. The international working environment and the office location were all very appealing to me, as well. Plus, as I also wanted to gather more experience with communications work, the job description of my trainee position in communications just seemed like the perfect fit for me.
Lara Koppelmann
Trainee, October 2024 - February 2025

What is unique about working at the EEA?

The office building is of course very beautiful and located right in the center of Copenhagen. But it’s also the people that make working at the EEA unique – you can really tell that everyone is motivated to be here which makes working together way more fun!

Trainee, October 2024 - February 2025

In general, being a trainee is special as you get to see, experience and work with colleagues from all kinds of EU institutions. You are part of the work that is discussed in the parliament and in the commission. What is especially unique about being a trainee at the EEA is that it gives you the feeling of a close-knit group since the agency is not so big, but you still work on big topics at the European level. Furthermore, the location of the office of the EEA cannot be any better. Being in the middle of the city, you immediately feel like you are part of it.
Tanja Tuffers
Trainee, March-August 2024

Expert, Transport and Environment

The EEA is a special place as is stands as an independent and trustworthy source of information on the environment for policymakers and citizens.

The type of work that everyone does here really varies. With the responsibilities ranging from literature review to policy assessment, there are so many opportunities for growth and finding something that aligns with your background, strengths and interests.
Lea Marie Thieringer
Trainee, October 2023 - February 2024

How would you describe the EEA working environment?

Open, welcoming and inspiring. The range of backgrounds brings fresh perspectives to any discussion, and you get the sense that everyone is an important player in one way or another. Also cannot forget the fun social activities and the absolutely amazing canteen lunch!
Lea Marie Thieringer
Trainee, October 2023 - February 2024

Everyone included me in the work and I did not feel like ‘the trainee’. I enjoyed the cooperativeness within the team and the easy-going atmosphere in the office. Colleagues seem to value trainees being here and the work that we are doing. Furthermore, I really enjoy the fact that the EEA not only has links to the EU institutions within their work but that that it also follows the Danish work/life principle. It makes working less stressful and you know you can still enjoy the city after work.

Trainee, March-August 2024

Everyone I have met so far is very welcoming and easy to talk to, which creates a very warm and friendly atmosphere. And the fact that there are people from many different countries makes the working environment really unique; turn a corner and you hear people having casual conversations in Swedish, French or Spanish. I really like that international feeling.
Lara Koppelmann
Trainee, October 2024 - February 2025

Get in touch

The EEA currently consists of 32 member countries. These are the 27 European Union Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye. This is reflected in the diversity of EEA employees, as you can see below.

EEA statutory staff, 2019-2024

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EEA statutory staff by age group, 2024

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EEA statutory and non-statutory staff by contract type, 2024

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EEA statutory staff by nationality, 2024

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The complexities of environmental challenges require multifaceted solutions that can only be achieved through diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. In the pursuit of its mission to ensure a sustainable and inclusive Europe, the EEA embraces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices within our organisation. By valuing diversity and fostering inclusion, the EEA not only ensures representative knowledge, better informed decision-making and effective communication, but also contributes to a stronger, more resilient EU.

DEI at the EEA at a glance

EEA staff, 2024

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Senior management, 2024

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Management, 2024

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The future of DEI at the EEA

Starting in 2024, the EEA has been engaging in a robust DEI consultation process. This involves a comprehensive assessment – or scan – of the organisation's diversity, equity, inclusion (and belonging) practices. By evaluating existing policies, practices and culture, such a scan will identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. This will act as a baseline that can be used to monitor change and benchmark the EEA compared to other organisations. Results will include actionable recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment, enhancing diversity recruitment and retention efforts, and promoting cultural competence among staff.

At the EEA, we aim to provide trusted and actionable knowledge for informed decision-making on environment and climate priorities and solutions, in line with Europe’s policy ambitions. In that role, we recognise that we have a special responsibility when it comes to managing our own environmental performance.

Like all organisations, we consume natural resources and impact the environment through our daily operations. In order to minimise these impacts and continually improve our performance, we use an environmental management system which complies with the eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) Regulation.

Our goal is to become climate-neutral and resource-efficient. In that context, we are committed to:

continuously improving our energy and material efficiency;
maintaining staff awareness and understanding of work-related environmental issues;
encouraging the sharing and implementation of ideas for environmental performance;
making use of the EEA's own data, experience and accumulated knowledge in managing environmental performance;
influencing and inspiring other EU bodies and institutions in their environmental endeavours; and
complying with all environmentally-relevant legislation and regulations of our host country.

EMAS coordinator and chair

We want to create an agency that operates as sustainably as possible. With EMAS, we can ensure credibility and full transparency — about both our successes and our challenges.

EMAS successes and challenges:

Rebound effect
The EEA’s environmental performance in 2023 showed a rebound effect compared to the years before, which were influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a slight increase in energy and water consumption, for example. However, paper consumption and waste reduction/sorting is continuing to improve. We aim to continue to promote energy efficiency through various means, such as purchasing energy-efficient IT solutions.

Raising awareness
In 2023, staff returned to work at the EEA premises more frequently than in previous years which were impacted by the pandemic. This resulted in more water use and a higher use of canteen services, and we will continue promoting resource-efficient water consumption over the years to come.

Travel
In 2022 and 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from travel rebounded, but remained well below pre-pandemic levels. This is owing to a reduced budget for business travel compared to before the pandemic, along with the EEA’s pledge to become climate-neutral by 2030 and increased awareness of the environmental impact of flying among staff. The EEA compiled and published staff guidance for a ‘new normal’ in terms of physical meetings. The guidance supports the greenhouse gas reduction target of the EEA and sets out principles that should be considered in order to avoid unnecessary emissions from physical meetings.

CO2 emissions from travel and meetings, 2019-2023

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Energy consumption, 2019-2023

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Water consumption, 2019-2023

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Paper consumption, 2019-2023

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Waste, 2019-2023

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