EU policy supported by research and innovation initiatives, projects, results and publications relating to environment and health.

The EU’s chemicals strategy for sustainability towards a toxic-free environment.

Pollution harms our health and our environment. It is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases and of premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain medical conditions and the elderly.

Better knowledge, stronger evidence and a greater focus on transformative processes and innovation are essential to improve our understanding of disaster risk, to build resilience and risk-informed approaches to policy-making, and contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Knowledge Centre on Earth Observation is a European Commission initiative to maximise the policy uptake of products and information from Copernicus, the Earth Observation (EO) programme of the EU.

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.

The European Commission has been building a strong European Health Union, in which all EU countries prepare and respond together to health crises, medical supplies are available, affordable and innovative, and countries work together to improve prevention, treatment and aftercare for diseases.

Healthy environments support healthy lives. EEA’s European Environment and Health Atlas presents information on how pollution and other environmental risks affect the health and well-being of Europeans. You can view inequalities in the distribution of environmental risks to health across Europe and check the quality of the environment where you live, work and play.

Despite progress in many areas, environmental hazards continue to affect public health in the EU. Air pollution, noise, heavy metal emissions, heatwaves and cold spells continue to cause health issues and fatalities across Europe each year. Europe has put in place a wide range of policies and measures to reduce such health impacts.

By improving air, water, and soil quality and limiting pollution released to nature, the EU has significantly contributed to enhancing human health in the last five decades. Yet, many vulnerable groups continue to be impacted by environmental degradation and climate change. Further improvements can help keep Europeans healthier and better equipped to cope with climate change impacts.