In October 2007, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published its latest report on the state of the environment in Europe. Entitled “Europe’s environment - The fourth assessment”, the report highlights the damaging effect of pollution of life expectancy and child development, and the gaps in information and implementation that are hampering environmental policy across the region.

The report, presented at the opening session of the sixth ministerial conference of the "Environment for Europe" process in Belgrade, Serbia, states that many of the environmental problems we face today are linked to economic activities such as agriculture, tourism, transport and energy. These industries affect water, air and soil quality.

For example, as a result of higher transport volumes due to increased economic activity, air pollution emissions have increased by 10% since 2000 in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The air pollutants of particular concern include nitrogen oxide, fine particle and ground-level ozone. These are expected to shorten life expectancy by almost a year in Western and Central Europe, and also threaten child development.

A further 100 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The marine environment is suffering from over-fishing, oil spills, eutrophication and increasing pressure placed on coastal environments. Moreover, oil discharges from day to day activities remain significant.

Targets for halting biodiversity loss by 2010 are likely to be missed, whilst the impacts of climate change on society and natural resources are already taking their toll.

Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA said: "Ministers have designated the Belgrade conference to be a ’conference of delivery’. Our report shows that there has been progress. We have reduced some air pollution and have improved wastewater treatment. However, in an era of change, major concerns remain, such as climate, biodiversity and environment-related health threats. To respond to these complex environmental issues, we need continued cooperation across the pan-European region as well as targeted financial and technical support."

"We need to further strengthen the will to act on environmental issues across the pan-European region. This requires a better understanding of the problems we face, their nature and distribution across societies and generations. Analysis, assessment, communication and education will help overcome this ’information gap’ and will better equip those who need to act."