Better implementation of EU environmental rules protects human health and supports economic growth

The Commission has published the fourth Environmental Implementation Review. It supports environmental enforcement and raises awareness about the importance of EU environmental rules to ensure prosperity, competitiveness and environmental security in the European Union.  

This Review identifies common trends at EU level, based on the individual country reports of the 27 EU member states.  The review includes a wide range of information about how well the member states are protecting the quality of the air citizens breathe, the water they drink and the nature they enjoy.

The report shows a pressing need to improve the implementation of EU environmental law implementation. Furthermore, the review spells out concrete priority actions for improvement in each member state. 

The costs of non-implementation of EU environmental laws through air and water pollution, nature degradation and waste are estimated at €180 billion per year for the EU. That is approximately 1% of the EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Environmental implementation can reduce these costs while ensuring a level playing field for companies across the EU single market. 

The Commission has made several EU funds available for member states to cover their investment needs, amounting to roughly €122 billion per year, across environmental objectives and priorities. Most of the member states need to make further use of these funds to reinforce member states' capacity to deliver effective implementation. 

More information is available online in a press release and the country reports.

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