Our aim is to disseminate knowledge about Europe and the environment and to analyse and present policy options. Our focus on European policy making is shared by few and we have a reputation based on being first in the field and possessing a history of knowledge and involvement acquired over thirty years. We undertake research and consultancy on the development, implementation and evaluation of environmental and environment-related policies in Europe. 

Our research work involves both pressing short-term policy issues and long-term strategic studies. Our project portfolio varies from year to year but we are committed to being at the forefront of thinking about the environmental aspects of EU policies and keeping an open dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders. We work closely with the full range of policy actors from international agencies and the EU institutions to national government departments, NGOs and academics.

IEEP has an interdisciplinary staff including lawyers and natural and social scientists with experience in several European countries. We are a charity with offices in London and Brussels and a network of partners in other European countries. The London office of IEEP was founded in 1980, the Brussels office in 2001. A presence was established in Finland in 2008.

The Institute has nine research areas spanning the key European and related national policy agendas: