Latest ETC Reports (included in homepage)

Exploring Current Practices and Innovations for Reporting on Policies and Measures and Greenhouse Gas Projections

This report provides an updated methodology for two scenarios of noise exposure in 2030 as support for the Zero Pollution Action Plan. The scenarios use 2017 as the baseline for people exposed to transport noise sources (inside and outside agglomerations). Since 2019, countries can no longer use their national calculation methods, must change to CNOSSOS-EU, and must adapt the method in which population and receiving points are distributed across the façade of the buildings. Therefore, the exposure data from 2017 is estimated based on backdating reported data in 2022. The data reported and gap filled in 2022 are used as the latest available data and as an intermediate point between 2017 and 2030. Assessment of scenarios follows the same workflow for all noise sources and is based on the change in population exposure due to demographic factors, transport data, and relevant noise abatement measures between 2022 and 2030.

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.