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EEA Signals 2020: Towards zero pollution in Europe

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Page Last modified 29 Aug 2023
2 min read
What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

The EEA Signals report is an annual, easy-to-read publication, consisting of a series of short articles, that looks at key issues related to the environment and climate. Recent EEA Signals reports have looked at soil (2019), water (2018), energy (2017).

 

Editorial — Towards zero pollution in Europe

Hans Bruyninckx


"For the first time in modern history, we have the means to aspire to generating heat and electricity, moving around and growing food without harmful pollution. We no longer need to accept pollution that affects people and the environment as an inevitable side product of progress."

 Hans Bruyninckx 
EEA Executive Director

What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

Contents



 

The European Commission's zero pollution ambition

The European Commission has recently published the roadmap for the EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition. The roadmap is open for public feedback until 29 October 2020.

 

Interview —
Does the polluter pay?

 

Professor Geert Van Calster
University of Leuven

Interview — Addressing environmental risks to health

Francesca Racioppi
WHO European Centre for
Environment and Health

 

 

Interact

 

QUIZ - Test your knowledge: Towards Zero Pollution in Europe
Feedback survey - EEA Signals 2020: Towards Zero Pollution in Europe

COVID-19 and air pollution


A decrease in many societal and economic activities during the pandemic led to a decrease in emissions and subsequent levels of certain air pollutants. For example, the use of vehicles declined during lockdowns and this led to lower nitrogen dioxide concentrations in many cities across Europe.

Find out more in EEA post corona planet platform 

Explore

 

What is pollution?

Pollution changes a medium such as air, water or soil in a way that can make it harmful to people or nature. Different types of pollutants include chemicals, dust, noise and radiation. EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.

 

Explore all infographics 

Cover image © Marco Gon, REDISCOVER Nature /EEA

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union did not affect the production of this report. Data reported by the United Kare included in all analyses and assessments contained herein, unless otherwise indicated.

Identifiers

Title: EEA Signals 2020: Towards zero pollution in Europe
PDF - TH-AP-20-669-EN-N - ISBN 978-92-9480-267-5 - ISSN 2443-7492- doi: 10.2800/40627
HTML - TH-AP-20-669-EN-Q - ISBN 978-92-9480-295-8 - ISSN 2467-7492- doi: 10.2800/690254

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Article Interview — Addressing environmental risks to health According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pollution accounts for 1.4 million preventable deaths per year in Europe but the situation is improving and the European Green Deal might be the opportunity to leapfrog towards sustainability. We talked about pollution and health with Francesca Racioppi, Head of the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health.
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Article Interview — Does the polluter pay? A simple but powerful idea lies at the heart of environmental laws in the EU: the ‘polluter pays’ principle. This principle has been applied in the form of taxes, fines and other measures, such as quotas for pollutant emissions and the Environmental Liability Directive. We talked to Professor Geert Van Calster about this principle, its benefits and shortcomings.
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Related infographics

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Infographic Noise pollution Noise pollution is a growing environmental concern. Noise disturbs sleep and makes it harder to learn in school. It can also cause or aggravate many health problems. The most important source of environmental noise in Europe is road traffic.
Infographic Effects of PFAS on human health Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of extremely persistent chemicals that are used in many consumer products. PFAS are used in products because they can, for example, increase oil and water repellence or resist high temperatures. Currently, there are more than 4 700 different PFAS that accumulate in people and the environment.
Infographic What is pollution? Pollution changes a medium such as air, water or soil in a way that can make it harmful to people or nature. Different types of pollutants include chemicals, dust, noise and radiation. EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.
Infographic Air quality problems in Europe’s cities Almost all Europeans who live in cities are exposed to air pollution that exceeds the levels set in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) guidelines for clean air. Air pollution is the greatest environmental health hazard in Europe and globally.

Related publications

Publication EEA Signals 2020 — Towards zero pollution in Europe What is pollution? Where does it come from? How does pollution affect the environment and how does it affect people’s health? How can Europe move towards zero pollution, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal? EEA Signals 2020 looks at pollution through different lenses related to the Agency’s work and EU legislation.
Publication EEA SIGNALS 2019 - Land and soil in Europe We cannot live without healthy land and soil. It is on land that we produce most of our food and we build our homes. For all species — animals and plants living on land or water — land is vital. Soil — one of the essential components of land — is a very complex and often undervalued element, teeming with life. Unfortunately, the way we currently use land and soil in Europe and in the world is not sustainable. This has significant impacts on life on land.
Publication EEA SIGNALS 2018 Water is life Europe's rivers, lakes and seas are under pressure from pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. How can we ensure a sustainable use of this vital resource?
Publication Signals 2017 - Shaping the future of energy in Europe: Clean, smart and renewable The European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes Signals annually, providing a snapshot of issues of interest to the environmental debate and the wider public. Signals 2017 focuses on energy.
Publication SIGNALS 2016 - Towards clean and smart mobility Transport and environment in Europe
Publication EEA Signals 2015 - Living in a changing climate Signals 2015 focuses on climate change: Our climate is changing. Global average temperatures are increasing, sea levels are rising, precipitation patterns are changing, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. In a series of short articles and interviews, Signals 2015 presents an overview of what causes climate change and what climate change means for human health, the environment, and the economy.

See also

Page EEA Signals 2022 — Staying on course for a sustainable Europe EEA Signals 2022 takes a broad look at energy and sustainability in a Europe that recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, faced with a war in Ukraine and committed to ambitious goals on protecting the climate, nature and people’s health.
Page
Archived
EEA Signals 2022 — Staying on course for a sustainable Europe EEA Signals 2022 takes a broad look at energy and sustainability in a Europe that recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, faced with a war in Ukraine and committed to ambitious goals on protecting the climate, nature and people’s health.
Page EEA Signals 2021 — Europe’s nature Why do we need decisive action now to protect nature? What is at stake and how can we tackle the biodiversity crisis?
Page
Draft
EEA Signals 2021 — Europe’s nature Why do we need decisive action now to protect nature? What is at stake and how can we tackle the biodiversity crisis?
Page The European Commission's zero pollution ambition
Folder Infographics
Folder Signals 2018 - Water is life

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