Latest ETC Reports (included in homepage)

Evidence shows that natural green and blue spaces (e.g. parks, forests, lakes) enhance mental well-being, especially in quiet environments. The Environmental Noise Directive (END) emphasizes preserving quiet areas across Europe's urban and rural settings. This report identifies potential quiet areas in Europe’s countryside. It builds upon an updated version of the Quietness Suitability Index (QSI), initially published by the European Environment Agency in 2016. The index combines two components: objective noise levels and subjective human perceptions of quietness. The revised methodology improves the distance function from noise sources, and the perception component is aligned with the ecosystem services framework. Ultimately, the report highlights the European regions with high potential for quiet areas, hotspots—areas with a low percentage of potential quiet zones—and offers insights for enhancing the management of protected areas.

Monitoring air quality in ports and nearby cities is crucial to understanding the role of emissions from shipping and other port activities. This report analyzes air quality in 23 European ports, revealing limited observations in and around port areas. Only 5 of the 23 ports had at least one air quality sampling point for NO2 and PM10 inside the port area. Concentrations in nearby cities can be up to double (NO2) and 74% higher (PM10) when the wind comes from the port. EEA air quality maps showed higher annual mean NO2 concentrations in port areas compared to surrounding regions, with some ports exceeding the 2030 limit value of 20 µg/m³. Annual mean PM10 concentrations were also higher in port areas, with nine ports exceeding the new limit value. The limited number of sampling points makes it challenging to assess trends in NO2 and PM10 concentrations. International shipping emissions significantly contribute to NO2 levels in port cities, as shown by pollution episodes in Antwerpen and Barcelona.

The report aims to investigate how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be applied in forested landscapes to reduce wildfire and pest outbreak risks, but also to improve the resilience of forests and support their recovery after such disturbances. It also discusses commonalities and divergences in conditions and strategies for NbS implementation across case studies, and identifies key learning points and remaining challenges.