Improving Access to Environmental Information and Public Participation
Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 establishes a new framework for the collection and reporting of environmental data from industrial installations, introducing an EU-wide Industrial Emissions Portal. The regulation aims to enhance public access to environmental information, support transparency, and strengthen public participation in environmental decision-making, in line with the Aarhus Convention.
The Portal is designed as an online, publicly accessible database providing free and continuous access to data on industrial emissions and environmental pressures. By making information easily available, the regulation seeks to increase awareness, enable informed decision-making, and ultimately contribute to improved environmental outcomes and pollution reduction.
A Comprehensive System for Monitoring Industrial Pollution and Resource Use
The regulation introduces harmonised reporting obligations for operators of industrial installations, requiring annual data on pollutant releases to air, water, and land, as well as on waste transfers and the use of water, energy, and raw materials. This integrated approach allows for a more complete understanding of industrial environmental impacts and supports the transition toward a circular and resource-efficient economy.
As shown in Annex II (pages 15–18), the regulation defines an extensive list of pollutants—including greenhouse gases, heavy metals, and hazardous chemicals—together with specific reporting thresholds, ensuring consistent and comparable data across Member States. The system also incorporates contextual information such as production volumes and operating hours to improve data interpretation.
By creating a standardised, EU-wide database and aligning reporting across environmental policies, the regulation enables effective monitoring, benchmarking, and policy evaluation. It strengthens the EU’s capacity to identify pollution sources, track progress, and support evidence-based actions for the prevention and reduction of industrial emissions.