Latest ETC Reports (included in homepage)

This study assesses progress towards the Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) goal of reducing microplastic emissions into the environment by 30% by 2030. The lack of consistent EU monitoring data and harmonised analytical methods makes it necessary to define new indicators. Following the European Commission's Impact Assessment Report “Combatting microplastic pollution in the European Union”, this study examines trends from 2016 to 2022 in key sources of microplastics, including tyre abrasion, plastic pellets, paints and textiles and develops qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses. Based on data from Eurostat and sectoral reports, the report defines a composite indicator which shows a 7.5-8.6% increase in emissions over this period. Specifically, indicators for tyre abrasion rose by 12.3%, plastic pellets by 7%, and paint by 5%. Despite uncertainties in estimates, the findings suggest that microplastic emissions have not decreased since 2016, confirming the importance of recent or forthcoming European initiatives to reduce microplastic emissions (REACH restriction, Euro7, etc.).

Horizon scanning is a systematic process encompassing the identification of weak signals of emerging trends, events and issues of policy relevance. Emerging environmental issues are phenomena that are completely new, which are known but new to environmental policymakers, or known but controversial or uncertain, including changes to the understanding, exposure or perception of an issue. Horizon scanning enables policymakers to gain new insights about future developments and make strategic decisions that strengthen the resilience of current policies to future shocks and uncertainty. In March 2022, the European Environment Agency and the European Topic Centre for Sustainability Transitions (ETC ST) initiated a participatory horizon scanning process involving the Eionet Groups (EGs) on Foresight and State of the Environment (SoE). One of the aims of the exercise was to identify and briefly characterise a set of emerging issues of relevance to the environment around a topic or topics of relevance to the Eionet countries. The topics selected by the participants were land use and the circular economy. This report presents the characterisation of eight emerging issues, four on land use and four on the circular economy. It aims to plant seeds and trigger curiosity around the risks and opportunities these issues may pose to the environment and environmental policy at the EU and at the country level. Depending on their nature, the emerging issues differ considerably in the availability of empirical data, knowledge of environmental impacts, and how uncertain their development is. What they have in common is that they all bear novel aspects and have environmental relevance.

This report explores the development of a framework and indicators for monitoring transitions in European food systems, highlighting systemic changes essential for sustainability. Using a scoping study approach, it evaluates 18 selected indicator frameworks to identify key elements, relationships, and sustainability considerations. The study emphasises the need for comprehensive frameworks that encompass environmental, social, and economic dimensions while addressing gaps such as feedback loops, cross-system interactions, and governance structures. Concrete proposals for indicators are provided, complemented by expert-driven recommendations to fill data gaps. The report also offers broader lessons for improving sustainability transition monitoring, including integration with policy and actor relations. Insights aim to support the advancement of food systems monitoring and inform future European environmental reporting.