Europe has invested €76bn in environmental protection
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According to the latest Eurostat report, European Union countries have invested around €76 billion in environmental protection assets over 2024. These investments cover a wide range of infrastructure solutions, from building wastewater treatment plants and purchasing specialised waste transport to acquiring land for nature reserves and adopting cleaner production technologies.
Industrial and service companies were the main drivers of investment, accounting for some €47 billion, or 61.4 per cent of total expenditure. This shows the increasing role of business in the environmental transformation process. Companies' investments mainly concern the introduction of pollution-reducing technologies, including equipment to reduce air emissions. The remaining 38.6% was financed by public authorities and non-profit organisations.
It is worth noting that only 2% of all investments in the EU in 2024 were allocated to the environment. This is a relatively small share, but in the context of the environmental crisis, this allocation of resources can play a key role.
The largest amounts were allocated to two critical areas: wastewater treatment (38.2%) and waste management (24.8%). Thus, more than 63% of all investments are focused on addressing the two most tangible and widespread environmental challenges.
Next in terms of funding are:
- Radiation protection, scientific research and other types of ecoprotection - 14%.
- Air protection and combating climate change - 11.2 per cent.
- Soil and groundwater protection - 5.6%.
- Conservation of biodiversity and natural landscapes - 5.2%.
- Noise protection - 1%.
This distribution of investments reflects current priorities and the level of awareness of environmental threats. It is particularly noteworthy that a significant proportion of the funds went to sectors where the impact can be measured in the medium term.
