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The European Commission's Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) aims to reduce the area of ecosystems affected by eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition by 25% by 2030. This indicator monitors the progress towards this target. Between 2005 and 2023, the area of ecosystems at risk of eutrophication due to nitrogen deposition in the EU-27 Member States reduced by almost 14%. Initiatives such as the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive, Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy for 2030 are key frameworks to further reduce the risk of eutrophication in ecosystems.

Figure 1. Risk of eutrophication measured as exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen deposition in Europe, in 2023

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The quantitative assessment of nitrogen deposition on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is estimated based on the concept of critical loads. When the deposition of nitrogen exceeds such critical loads, it can lead to eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Nitrogen deposition is mainly caused by ammonia (NH3) from agricultural activities and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from combustion processes.

The European Commission's ZPAP aims to reduce pollution in the EU to levels not harmful to human health or ecosystems. Target 3 of the plan sets a clear objective to reduce the area of ecosystems by 25% where nitrogen deposition exceeds critical loads by the year 2030, compared to levels in 2005. This indicator monitors progress towards this target.

In 2023, the highest exceedances of the critical loads of nitrogen deposition were found in the Po Valley in Italy and the border areas between the Netherlands and Germany (Figure 1). High exceedances were also found along the border between Denmark and Germany and in north-eastern Spain. Exceedance hot spots also appeared in the Netherlands and its border areas with Belgium.

The European Commission's Fourth Clean Air Outlook provides further analyses of the prospects of achieving this target and identifies potential policy adjustments to meet the goal by 2030. The baseline scenario, which assumes no additional measures beyond current efforts, predicts a reduction of only 19% in affected ecosystems by 2030, compared to 2005. While this represents progress, it falls short of the 25% reduction goal for all affected areas.

The Clean Air Outlook highlights the importance of specific actions to address ammonia emissions from agriculture. Particularly through more efficient management and application of manure from cattle, pigs, and poultry, as well as mineral fertilisers to reduce ammonia emissions.

Implementing the existing legislation in full and taking action to meet the stricter air quality standards of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive are important steps for reducing the pressure from nitrogen on ecosystems. The implementation of measures intended to achieve the 50% reduction in nutrient losses set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the nature restoration targets of the Biodiversity strategy will also contribute to reducing atmospheric nitrogen deposition.

Figure 2. Eutrophication caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe

The critical loads for nitrogen deposition were exceeded in almost all EEA-38 member countries in both 2005 and 2023 (Figure 2). In 2023, the highest share of ecosystem area in exceedance were in Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta. In 2023, the ecosystem area where critical loads were exceeded in EU-27 was around 1,068,000km2, compared to 1,249,000km2 in 2005, a reduction of 14%.

These exceedances are attributed to both compounds from agricultural activities and oxidised nitrogen from combustion processes. In 2023, the agriculture sector accounted for 94% of all reduced nitrogen emissions in EU-27 Member States, with 67% of emissions stemming from livestock. Emissions of oxidised nitrogen (NO2, nitric acid and nitrate-containing particles) were highest in Belgium, northern Germany, northern Italy, the Netherlands and Poland.