According to the results obtained with the Amalur EIS tool, 59.5% of the total environmental impact generated by industry in Europe comes from the energy sector. (Autor: Maitane Vilor)
The Amalur EIS environmental information system, developed by the Ekopol group at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), allows for the analysis of environmental impacts at national, regional, and local scales. It uses data from the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) and applies a life cycle assessment approach to provide a comprehensive view of emissions from industrial facilities. Researchers have analyzed data from European industries, including detailed studies of Basque Country installations from 2007 to 2022.
Amalur EIS transforms raw emission data into a clear, single environmental indicator by processing emissions to air, water, and soil from over 31,000 European industrial sites. The system employs 31 life cycle impact assessment methods and covers most pollutants regulated by the PRTR protocol. It considers multiple environmental impact categories such as climate change, human and ecosystem toxicity, ozone formation, acidification, and particulate matter, highlighting that impacts beyond climate change must also be addressed.
At the European level, climate change accounts for nearly 69% of the total environmental impact, with the energy sector responsible for almost 60% of industrial emissions. The highest regional impacts are concentrated in German regions like Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Brandenburg, making Germany the country with the largest share of environmental impact. This comprehensive data is accessible through the Amalur EIS platform, which supports decision-making for academics, policymakers, companies, and the public.
Focusing on the Basque Country, the tool reveals that the Petronor refinery in Muskiz (Bizkaia) is the largest single contributor to environmental impact, generating 25% of the total from regional facilities. Cement plants and thermal power stations also contribute significantly, along with waste treatment plants. Geographically, Bizkaia concentrates over half of the region’s industrial environmental impact, followed by Navarra, Gipuzkoa, and Álava, while the Northern Basque Country has a minimal share.
Overall, Amalur EIS provides a valuable resource for quantifying and comparing industrial environmental impacts, enabling better monitoring of sustainability transitions and supporting informed environmental management across Europe and within the Basque Country.
