The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union, whose task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. The regulation establishing the EEA was adopted by the European Union in 1990. It came into force in late 1993, and work started in 1994. The regulation also established the European environment information and observation network (Eionet).

The EEA aims to support sustainable development by helping to achieve significant and measurable improvement in Europe’s environment, through the provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policymaking agents and the public.

The EEA now has 32 member countries and six cooperating countries. The European environment information and observation network (Eionet) is a partnership network of the EEA and the countries. The EEA is responsible for developing the network and coordinating its activities. To do so, the EEA works closely together with national focal points, typically national environment agencies or environment ministries. They are responsible for coordinating national networks involving many institutions (about 350 in all).

The Environment and Resources Authority coordinates Malta’s input to the European Environment Agency.

More information on the EEA can be found here .