Latest ETC Reports (included in homepage)
Results of this study are based on literature review, on expertise from Ineris engineers and on a benchmark. The benchmark of existing ELVs/EQSs for PFAS used in industry undertaken for this report is based on feedback from six European countries and five non-European countries, and on monitoring of current projects regarding PFAS. It shows that ELVs in wastewater are mainly set on a case-by-case basis in permits and not at national or regional level. Current discussions regarding surface-, ground- and drinking water, whether it is a question of setting threshold of compounds (list of individual compounds, “sum of PFAS” or “total PFAS”), measurement standards or monitoring are linked for all matrices. The setting of ELVs for air emissions is less advanced. Regarding monitoring, numerous projects and developments are on-going. State-of-the-art from expert feedback shows that, in water matrix, standards exist for some individual compounds. Development of index methods is currently under study and may enable a different approach to regulation (non-target monitoring). In air matrix, standards are in the early stages of development, and feedback is awaited.
This report presents an in-depth exploration of transformative pathways and policy mixes aimed at transitioning European food systems towards sustainability. Using four distinct imaginaries of future food systems—"Technocracy for the Common Good," "Unity in Adversity," "The Great Decoupling," and "Ecotopia"—the study envisions diverse strategies ranging from high-tech, efficiency-driven approaches to community-led, nature-centric models. Each imaginary offers unique perspectives on addressing systemic challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. A novel methodological framework underpins this analysis, combining foresight tools like the Futures Wheel and Morphological Analysis with transition research (X-Curve). This integrative approach bridges exploratory foresight with policy design, enabling the synthesis of imaginative yet actionable policy pathways. The X-Curve captures the temporal dynamics of transitioning systems, while the Morphological Analysis ensures coherence across policy options. Thus, tailored interventions are developed for different phases of sustainability transitions: emergence, acceleration, stabilisation, and phase-out. Recommendations emphasise the need to reorient EU policies, such as the Common Agricultural Policy, towards just transitions, circular practices, and resilience in food systems. By incorporating stakeholder perspectives with a systemic approach, this research offers an alternative perspective for policymakers to navigate complex trade-offs and expedite the shift to inclusive, sustainable food systems that tackle Europe’s environmental and socio-economic challenges.
This report summarises a horizon scanning exercise conducted from March to August 2024 with experts from the European Environment Agency (EEA), its country network (Eionet), and external specialists. The study identifies 14 emerging developments that may significantly affect environmental policies and practices across Europe. This systematic process to detect weak signals (topics not yet prominent in research, media coverage, or political agendas) aims to support proactive decision-making and inform upcoming policy debates at both national and EU levels. Horizon scanning for environmental policy is an approach to identify novel trends with potentially far-reaching implications that remain underexplored. Early awareness of such trends enhances foresight capacities within the EEA and Eionet, enabling environmental institutions to respond strategically to future threats and seize emerging opportunities. The selected issues highlight the close connection between environmental sustainability and technological innovation, socio-economic transitions, and broader geopolitical factors. This report emphasises the importance of anticipatory governance in managing complexity and uncertainty and offers a wide selection to encourage debate and analysis.
Whereas the processes underlying surface ozone air pollution episodes are relatively well known, the interplay of anthropogenic and biogenic sources related to both short- and long-lived precursors presents a challenge for the identification of optimal mitigation strategies. The most common concern relates to (i) the spatial scale at which emission reduction strategies must be implemented, and (ii) the apparent limited efficiency of past efforts with regards to recent ozone trends. We provide a short synthesis of the recent evidence in relation to (i) ozone formation processes, (ii) trends of ozone in the last few decades, (iii) significance of methane as an ozone precursor, (iv) the impact of climate change on future ozone.
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