Eco Policies in The EU Set Up Drastic Improvement in Air Quality

A marked improvement in European air quality over the past decade has been noted, as the European Environment Agency reports. This has been the result of the European Union, national, and local policies and emission cuts in important sectors making a huge difference in lowering air pollution levels.

According to EEA’s Air quality in Europe 2020 report, since the year 2000, emissions of key air pollutants, such as the incredibly harmful nitrogen oxides, that emerge from transport have declined significantly, despite growing mobility demand and associated increase in the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. Pollutant emissions from energy supply have also been majorly reduced, while progress in reducing emissions from buildings and agriculture has been slower and more gradual.

Thanks to increased air quality, approximately 60,000 fewer people died prematurely due to fine particulate matter pollution in 2018, compared with 2009. For nitrogen dioxide, the reduction is even greater as premature deaths have declined up to 54% over the last decade. The continuing implementation of environmental and climate policies across Europe is a key factor behind the improvements.

“The EEA’s data prove that investing in better air quality is an investment for better health and productivity for all Europeans. Policies and actions that are consistent with Europe’s zero pollution ambition, lead to longer and healthier lives and more resilient societies,” - Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director

“It is good news that air quality is improving thanks to the environmental and climate policies that we have been implementing… With the European Green Deal we have set ourselves an ambition of reducing all kinds of pollution to zero. If we are to succeed and fully protect people’s health and the environment, we need to cut air pollution further and align our air quality standards more closely with the recommendations of the World Health Organization,” - Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Next steps for nations within Europe include following the EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition under the European Green Deal, and we hope for most if not all of the countries to put this at the very top of their agenda, as it is crucial not just for us, but for the generations and generations to come.