Industrial activities cause various negative impacts on the environment. Emissions to air, water and soil occur where large factories, refineries, intensive agriculture, power stations and other forms of industry operate. Please refer to the dedicated pages for more information about the effects of pollution on air quality, water quality and soil quality.
Certain industrial processes consume large amounts of resources or involve dangerous chemicals. These activities can indirectly lead to further negative environmental impacts.
This section of the website includes information relating to cross-cutting environmental issues such as resource efficiency, pollutants of concern, measures to prevent accidents and information regarding the monitoring of emissions from industrial activities covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive.