European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Eionet
The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides trusted environment and climate information for citizens and policy makers in Europe. Working through the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet), it collects environmental data and produces assessments to support policy across Europe. Eionet connects hundreds of institutions and more than 3,000 experts across 40 member and cooperating countries, including Ireland. The EPA is the Eionet National Focal Point (NFP) for Ireland, coordinating environmental information exchange with the EEA and other organisations.
On this page
- National Focal Point role and Eionet Ireland
- Benefits of participating in Eionet
- How to become an Eionet Ireland member
- Eionet Ireland Network member organisations
- Find out more about Eionet Ireland's activities
- Eionet core data flows and National Data Flow Coordinator
- EEA Topic Centre Organisations 2027 to 2030
- 2024 Country visit by the European Environment agency with Eionet Ireland
- Find out more about the EEA and Eionet
National Focal Point role and Eionet Ireland
As the Eionet National Focal Point, the EPA coordinates membership of the national network and facilitates requests and information delivery between national and EU level.
Benefits of participating in Eionet
Participating in Eionet offers a valuable opportunity to engage with Europe's leading environmental community. Irish academics and public and civil servants can join the Eionet working groups and members can:
- Learn from experts across Europe through knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer networking.
- Raise the profile of Irish environmental expertise by contributing to European discussions and initiatives.
- Gain early insights into EU and EEA priorities, helping organisations stay informed and prepared.
- Develop valuable partnerships and collaborate on environmental projects and data activities.
- Access the latest tools, information and best practices to support evidence-based environmental work.
Together, Eionet members help shape a stronger, more connected environmental knowledge network across Europe.
How to become an Eionet Ireland member
If you are interested in becoming a member of Eionet, please contact the National Focal Point Team by email at nfp@epa.ie for advice and guidance on joining the Irish network and the EEA Eionet groups. Further information about Eionet.
If you work in the environmental sphere, particularly in any of the member organisations listed below and are interested in participating in Eionet, contact the National Focal Point Team by email at nfp@epa.ie
Eionet Ireland Network Member Organisations*
The table includes the Eionet group and thematic group membership for Ireland:
| Eionet group and associated thematic groups | Eionet group: Lead organisation for Ireland | Other member organisations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nature restoration and protected areas | National Parks and Wildlife Service | CSO, DAFM, DCEE, DHLGH, EPA, OPR, MI, EMI and UCD |
| Nature restoration and protected areas: Thematic groups | |||
| 1.1 | Biodiversity monitoring | National Parks and Wildlife Service | |
| 1.2 | Water | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 1.3 | Marine and oceans | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 1.4 | Forest ecosystems | Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine | |
| 2 | Climate change mitigation and energy systems | Environmental Protection Agency | DAFM, DOT and EMI |
| 3 | Climate change impacts vulnerability and adaptation | Environmental Protection Agency | DCEE, DHLGH, DOH and DOT |
| 4 | Human health and the environment | Environmental Protection Agency | DOT, DCEE, HPSC and TII |
| Human health and the environment: Thematic groups | |||
| 4.1 | Air pollution | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 4.2 | Noise | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 4.3 | Chemicals | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 5 | Circular economy and resource use | Environmental Protection Agency | ATU, CSO, GSI and EMI |
| Circular economy and resource use: Thematic groups | |||
| 5.1 | Circular economy monitoring | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 5.2 | Waste prevention and management | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 5.3 | Sustainable production and consumption | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 5.4 | Material flows and resource use/efficiency | Geological Survey Ireland | |
| 6 | Foresight | Environmental Protection Agency | ATU, HSA and UCC |
| 7 | State of environment | Environmental Protection Agency | NESC |
| 8 | Food systems | Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine | EPA |
| 9 | Land systems | Environmental Protection Agency | DCEE, DAFM, CSO, OPR and Teagasc |
| Land systems: Thematic Groups | |||
| 9.1 | Soil | Teagasc | |
| 9.2 | Land systems accounting | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 9.3 | Support to Copernicus | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 10 | Mobility systems | Department of Transport | DAFM, EPA, NTA and SEAI |
| 11 | Data technologies and digitalisation | Environmental Protection Agency | |
| 12 | Communications | Environmental Protection Agency | EMI |
Updates as of August 2026*
List of abbreviations used in the table above: Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Central Statistics Office (CSO), Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), Department of Climate Energy and Environment (DCEE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), Department of Transport (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Movement Ireland (EMI), Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), Marine Institute (MI), National Economic and Social Council (NESC), National Transport Authority (NTA), Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD).
Find out more about Eionet Ireland's activities
Learn more about Eionet Ireland's activities from the Eionet Ireland newsletters and brochure linked below:
Eionet Ireland Newsletter 2026
Eionet core data flows and National Data Flow Coordinators
High-quality environmental data provided through the Eionet is essential for the EEA to achieve its mission of delivering reliable information and knowledge in support of Europe's environmental and climate goals. EEA member countries report data through the Eionet across various areas, including air quality and emissions, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, industrial pollution, and water. The EEA uses this data to produce its key assessments, products, and services.
The EPA is Ireland's National Data Flow Coordinator and is responsible for overseeing the timely submission of high-quality environmental data to Eionet.
EEA Topic Centre Organisations 2027 to 2030
The EEA works with Topic Centre Organisations, which provide scientific and technical expertise in key priority areas and support the delivery of the EEA work programme.
More information is available on the EEA website: Become a Topic Centre organisation and engage with the EEA | Procurement and grants | European Environment Agency (EEA)
Country visit by the European Environment Agency with Eionet Ireland
In 2024, EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen and Brian MacSharry, EEA Head of Group for Nature and Biodiversity, met with Eionet Ireland members. They updated on the EEA's work, recent publications, and the wider Eionet network. Irish participants presented related national activities, and attendees explored opportunities for greater collaboration and engagement within Eionet.
Links to the presentations made at the Eionet Ireland event in October 2024 are available in the table below.
| Presentation | Organisation |
| Eionet Ireland Network - National Focal Point Ireland | Environmental Protection Agency |
| EEA-Eionet supporting the European Green Deal and beyond environmental knowledge and systemic approaches | European Environment Agency |
| EEA's perspective on recent EU environmental policy | European Environment Agency |
| EPA Environment and Health Activities | Environmental Protection Agency |
| LIFE Emerald overview | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Climate change in the Irish mind | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Earth observation for land-use policy | Teagasc |
| Ecosystems accounts | Central Statistics Office |
| Food Systems: Food Vision Dashboard | Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine |
Find out more about the EEA and Eionet
- Eionet Strategy 2021-2030
- Eionet Core Data Flows 2025
- Europe's Environment 2025
- Learn about Europe's environment on the European Environment Agency's website
- Learn about the European Green Deal – the plan to make the EU's economy sustainable and climate neutral by 2050