AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS IN THE EU: MEASURING DISCREPANCIES ACROSS MEMBER STATES

Danijela  Pantović; Nemanja  Pantić; Milica Lukovic; Branislav  Dudić

doi:10.59267/ekoPolj2602405P

Authors

Danijela Pantović University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism Vrnjacka Banja, Vojvodjanska Street No. 5A, 36210 Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8605-8614
Nemanja Pantić Universitiy of Kragujevac, Faculty of Hotel management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, Vojvođanska 5A, 36210 Vrnjačka Banja, Republic of Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0030-6950
Milica Lukovic University in Kragujevac, Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism, Vojvodjanska 5A, 36210 Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7102-0178
Branislav Dudić Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Management, Odbojárov 10, P.O.BOX 95 82018 Bratislava 218, Slovak Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4647-6026

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2602405P

Keywords:

agri-environmental indicators, Composite index, EU countries, PCA analysis

Abstract

The paper analyzes agri-environmental indicators of EUcountries from 2017 to 2023 to assess progress towardsustainable agriculture. Using descriptive statistics,principal component analysis (PCA), and a compositeindex, it identifies key sustainability dimensions and ranksEU countries by performance. Results indicate reducedagricultural greenhouse gas emissions, growth in renewableenergy production, and expansion of organic farmingareas. However, pesticide sales and related environmentalrisks remain high, highlighting ongoing dependence onchemical inputs. PCA reveals two main components: thefirst reflects energy and agricultural sustainability, whilethe second captures ecological risks linked to pesticideuse and emissions. The composite index shows cleardisparities among EU countries—some have advanced,while others lag behind the EU average. Findings suggestthat EU agricultural policy should intensify pesticidereduction efforts while continuing to promote renewableenergy and organic farming initiatives.

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