Air pollution

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Air pollution harms human health and the environment. In Europe, emissions of many air pollutants have decreased substantially over the past decades, resulting in improved air quality across the region. However, air pollutant concentrations are still too high, and air quality problems persist. A significant proportion of Europe’s population live in areas, especially cities, where exceedances of air quality standards occur. More

Key facts and messages: Emissions of NOX, SOX, NH3 and NMVOC have decreased significantly in most countries between 1990 and 2012. However, air pollution still causes significant harm to health and the environment in Europe. more; Scientific understanding of the interaction between air pollution and climate change has improved over the last two decades. In particular, there has been a greater realisation that some air pollutants also act as short-term drivers of global... more; Although air pollutants and greenhouse gases often come from the same sources, international agreements generally treat them separately. One way that European policy seeks to connect climate and air quality policies is through the inclusion... more; The majority of countries are making progress towards meeting their 2020 targets under the 2012 revised Gothenburg Protocol. As a result, air quality in Europe is slowly improving. more; Continued improvements in air pollution levels are expected under current legislation, but beyond 2030 only slow progress is expected. Additional measures are needed if Europe is to achieve the long-term objective of air pollution levels that... more; Despite considerable improvements in past decades, air pollution is still responsible for more than 400 000 premature deaths in Europe each year. It also continues to damage vegetation and ecosystems. more

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National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive

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Application of EU’s Emissions Trading System rules improving

News 19 May 2017

Application of the rules that underpin the European Union’s Emissions Trading System is improving, with more complete data being reported by EU Member States, according to a new assessment published by the European Environment Agency today. However, improvements are still needed in monitoring and reporting, both by operators and countries.

Stronger measures needed to tackle harm from air pollution

News 23 Nov 2016

Air pollution has significant impacts on the health of Europeans, particularly in urban areas, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). While air quality is slowly improving, air pollution remains the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe, resulting in a lower quality of life due to illnesses and an estimated 467 000 premature deaths per year.

Electric vehicles will help the shift toward EU's green transport future

News 26 Sep 2016

A large scale roll-out of electric cars on European roads would result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of certain air pollutants, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment released today. However, widespread use of such vehicles would pose challenges for Europe’s power grid in meeting increased electricity demand.

Air pollution from agriculture: EU exceeds international limit in 2014

News 06 Jul 2016

Ammonia emissions in Europe have fallen since 1990, but by not as much as emissions of other air pollutants tracked under an internationally agreed United Nations convention. According to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), ammonia emissions increased in 2014, meaning several EU Member States as well as the EU now exceed their respective ammonia emission limits under the convention.

Application of EU’s Emissions Trading System rules improving Application of the rules that underpin the European Union’s Emissions Trading System is improving, with more complete data being reported by EU Member States, according to a new assessment published by the European Environment Agency today. However, improvements are still needed in monitoring and reporting, both by operators and countries.

Stronger measures needed to tackle harm from air pollution Air pollution has significant impacts on the health of Europeans, particularly in urban areas, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). While air quality is slowly improving, air pollution remains the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe, resulting in a lower quality of life due to illnesses and an estimated 467 000 premature deaths per year.

Electric vehicles will help the shift toward EU's green transport future A large scale roll-out of electric cars on European roads would result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of certain air pollutants, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment released today. However, widespread use of such vehicles would pose challenges for Europe’s power grid in meeting increased electricity demand.

Air pollution from agriculture: EU exceeds international limit in 2014 Ammonia emissions in Europe have fallen since 1990, but by not as much as emissions of other air pollutants tracked under an internationally agreed United Nations convention. According to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), ammonia emissions increased in 2014, meaning several EU Member States as well as the EU now exceed their respective ammonia emission limits under the convention.

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Effective policies are based on a robust knowledge base and solid science

Article 15 Mar 2017

At all governance levels, public policy making entails making decisions between different options and approaches. Some decisions, such as to invest in fossil fuels or renewables, might involve selecting one option over the other. Others might address the ‘how’ question – we will invest in renewables but which ones are the best for the society? Each policy decision results in outcomes, some of which might be unforeseen, unexpected or even detrimental to those whose lives it is supposed to improve. In the long term, the overall harm can be much larger than gains in the short term. To achieve the positive and lasting results on the ground, policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions, after assessing the benefits and costs of each available option.

Air quality remains a hot topic for many Europeans

Article 15 Dec 2016

Last month the European Environment Agency (EEA) released its latest ‘Air quality in Europe’ report which showed that while air quality is slowly improving, air pollution remains the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe. We sat down with Alberto González Ortiz, an EEA air quality expert, to discuss the report’s findings and how technologies like satellite imagery are helping to improve air quality research.

Transport in Europe: key facts and trends

Article 29 Jun 2016

Despite temporary slowdowns, the demand for transport of both passengers and goods has been growing steadily and is projected to continue. As such, more and more cars are sold in Europe, the majority of which are diesel powered. And while engines are becoming more efficient, this growth means GHG emissions are a major concern.

Can transport come to TERMs with its environmental impact?

Article 15 Dec 2015

With the recent publication of the EEA’s annual Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) for 2015, and with international attention focusing on the ongoing vehicle emissions scandal, we spoke with the EEA’s TERM coordinator, Alfredo Sánchez Vicente.

Effective policies are based on a robust knowledge base and solid science At all governance levels, public policy making entails making decisions between different options and approaches. Some decisions, such as to invest in fossil fuels or renewables, might involve selecting one option over the other. Others might address the ‘how’ question – we will invest in renewables but which ones are the best for the society? Each policy decision results in outcomes, some of which might be unforeseen, unexpected or even detrimental to those whose lives it is supposed to improve. In the long term, the overall harm can be much larger than gains in the short term. To achieve the positive and lasting results on the ground, policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions, after assessing the benefits and costs of each available option.

Air quality remains a hot topic for many Europeans Last month the European Environment Agency (EEA) released its latest ‘Air quality in Europe’ report which showed that while air quality is slowly improving, air pollution remains the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe. We sat down with Alberto González Ortiz, an EEA air quality expert, to discuss the report’s findings and how technologies like satellite imagery are helping to improve air quality research.

Transport in Europe: key facts and trends Despite temporary slowdowns, the demand for transport of both passengers and goods has been growing steadily and is projected to continue. As such, more and more cars are sold in Europe, the majority of which are diesel powered. And while engines are becoming more efficient, this growth means GHG emissions are a major concern.

Can transport come to TERMs with its environmental impact? With the recent publication of the EEA’s annual Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) for 2015, and with international attention focusing on the ongoing vehicle emissions scandal, we spoke with the EEA’s TERM coordinator, Alfredo Sánchez Vicente.

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Air quality in Europe — 2016 report

Publication 23 Nov 2016

This report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe. It is focused on the air quality state in 2014 and the development from 2000 to 2014. It reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the air quality directives. An overview of the latest findings and estimates of the trends in concentrations, the effects of air pollution on health and its impacts on ecosystems are also given.

Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in

Publication 07 Oct 2016

With fossil fuels still contributing to roughly half of the electricity generated in Europe, moving away from a carbon-intensive power supply over the next few decades will require a commitment to increase investment in clean technology, restructure the fossil fuel energy infrastructure and ensure a secure and affordable power supply. In this context, this report fills an important information gap by looking at: • the theoretical evolution of fossil fuel capacity by 2030 in the absence of strong drivers to counter present trends; • how this hypothetical evolution would fit in with the need to create a qualitatively different EU power sector by 2030 and beyond, in line with EU climate goals.

EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook - 2016

Publication 30 Sep 2016

Technical guidance to prepare national emission inventories. The joint EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook supports the reporting of emissions data under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive. It provides expert guidance on how to compile an atmospheric emissions inventory. The Guidebook is published by the EEA with the CLRTAP Task Force on Emission Inventories and Projections responsible for the technical content of the chapters.

Electric vehicles in Europe

Publication 26 Sep 2016

This report provides a non-technical summary of the latest information on electric road vehicles in Europe, including those with hybrid technologies. It focuses upon electric passenger vehicles, explaining the different types that are now available on the market, how each type works, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Air quality in Europe — 2016 report This report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe. It is focused on the air quality state in 2014 and the development from 2000 to 2014. It reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the air quality directives. An overview of the latest findings and estimates of the trends in concentrations, the effects of air pollution on health and its impacts on ecosystems are also given.

Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in With fossil fuels still contributing to roughly half of the electricity generated in Europe, moving away from a carbon-intensive power supply over the next few decades will require a commitment to increase investment in clean technology, restructure the fossil fuel energy infrastructure and ensure a secure and affordable power supply. In this context, this report fills an important information gap by looking at: • the theoretical evolution of fossil fuel capacity by 2030 in the absence of strong drivers to counter present trends; • how this hypothetical evolution would fit in with the need to create a qualitatively different EU power sector by 2030 and beyond, in line with EU climate goals.

EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook - 2016 Technical guidance to prepare national emission inventories. The joint EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook supports the reporting of emissions data under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive. It provides expert guidance on how to compile an atmospheric emissions inventory. The Guidebook is published by the EEA with the CLRTAP Task Force on Emission Inventories and Projections responsible for the technical content of the chapters.

Electric vehicles in Europe This report provides a non-technical summary of the latest information on electric road vehicles in Europe, including those with hybrid technologies. It focuses upon electric passenger vehicles, explaining the different types that are now available on the market, how each type works, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

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Air Quality e-Reporting (AQ e-Reporting)

Data 27 Apr 2017

European air quality information reported by EEA member countries, including all EU Member States, as well as EEA cooperating countries. The EEA’s air quality database consists of a multi-annual time series of air quality measurement data and calculated statistics for a number of air pollutants. It also contains meta-information on the monitoring networks involved, their stations and measurements.

Reported data on large combustion plants covered by Directive 2001/80/EC

Data 03 Apr 2017

The Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) applies to combustion plants with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used (solid, liquid or gaseous).

Persistent organic pollutant emissions

Indicator Assessment 20 Dec 2016

The emissions of a number of compounds categorised as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) decreased between 1990 and 2014 in the EEA-33, e.g. hexachlorobenzene (HCB) by 95 %, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by 71 %, dioxins and furans by 85 % and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 60 %. Although the majority of countries report that POP emissions fell during this period, some report that emissions increased. In 2014, the most significant sources of emissions for these POPs included the ‘Commercial, institutional and households’ (13 % of HCB, 39 % of dioxins and furans, 54 % of PAHs and 15 % of PCBs) and ‘Industrial processes and product use’ (16 % of HCB and 51 % of PCBs) sectors.

Emissions of the main air pollutants in Europe

Indicator Assessment 19 Dec 2016

Anthropogenic emissions of the main air pollutants decreased significantly in most EEA member countries between 1990 and 2014: emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) decreased by 51 % (55 % in the EU-28); emissions of sulphur oxides (SO x ) decreased by 80 % (88 % in the EU-28); emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) decreased by 57 % (60 % in the EU-28); emissions of ammonia (NH 3 ) decreased by 11 % (24 % in the EU-28); emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) decreased by 36 % (36 % in the EU-28). The EU-28 met its continuing obligation to maintain emissions of NO x , SO x , NH 3 and NMVOCs below legally binding targets, as specified by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). A number of EU Member States reported emissions that were above their NECD emission ceilings: three countries (Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for NO x , five (Austria, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) exceeded emission ceilings for NH 3 and two (Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for NMVOCs. There are no emission ceilings for primary PM 2.5 . Three additional EEA member countries (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) had emission ceilings for 2010 that were set in the Gothenburg Protocol under the 1979 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Liechtenstein and Norway reported emissions above their NH 3 ceilings. Emission reduction commitments for 2020 have been set under the revised Gothenburg Protocol for NO x , SO x , NMVOC, NH 3 and PM 2.5 . The EU-28 as a whole is on track to meet its reduction commitments.

90.4 percentile of PM10 daily concentrations at background stations, 2014

Figure 13 Dec 2016

The map shows the 90.4 percentile of the PM10 daily mean concentrations, representing the 36th highest value in a complete series. It is related to the PM10 daily limit value, which allows 35 exceedances of the 50 μg/m3 threshold over a 1 year period. The red and dark-red dots indicate stations with exceedances of this daily limit value. Only stations with more than 75 % valid data have been included in the map.

Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations observed at traffic stations, 2014

Figure 13 Dec 2016

The figure shows the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) observed at traffic stations in 2014.

Air quality standards under the Air Quality Directive, and WHO air quality guidelines

Figure 12 Dec 2016

Table

EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in the NECD Annexes I and II

Figure 10 Jun 2016

EU progress in meeting emission ceilings (for compliance and for environmental objectives) of the four main air pollutants regulated in the 2001 National Emission Ceilings Directive

PM2.5 interpolated maps

GIS Map Application 16 Apr 2014

The maps were derived for 2007, 2008 and 2010 primarily from Airbase background station monitoring data, few EMEP station monitoring data, supplemented with altitude, meteorological ECMWF data and EMEP concentration modelling data. The dataset has been reorganised in order to improve data harmonization among years and to facilitate storage and processing of the interpolated maps for the EEA data services.

PM10 interpolated maps

GIS Map Application 16 Apr 2014

The maps are derived primarily from Airbase background station monitoring data, few EMEP station monitoring data, supplemented with altitude, meteorological ECMWF data and EMEP concentration modelling data. The dataset has been reorganised in order to improve data harmonization among years and to facilitate storage and processing of the interpolated maps for the EEA data services.

Air Quality e-Reporting (AQ e-Reporting) European air quality information reported by EEA member countries, including all EU Member States, as well as EEA cooperating countries. The EEA’s air quality database consists of a multi-annual time series of air quality measurement data and calculated statistics for a number of air pollutants. It also contains meta-information on the monitoring networks involved, their stations and measurements.

Reported data on large combustion plants covered by Directive 2001/80/EC The Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) applies to combustion plants with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used (solid, liquid or gaseous).

Persistent organic pollutant emissions The emissions of a number of compounds categorised as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) decreased between 1990 and 2014 in the EEA-33, e.g. hexachlorobenzene (HCB) by 95 %, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by 71 %, dioxins and furans by 85 % and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 60 %. Although the majority of countries report that POP emissions fell during this period, some report that emissions increased. In 2014, the most significant sources of emissions for these POPs included the ‘Commercial, institutional and households’ (13 % of HCB, 39 % of dioxins and furans, 54 % of PAHs and 15 % of PCBs) and ‘Industrial processes and product use’ (16 % of HCB and 51 % of PCBs) sectors.

Emissions of the main air pollutants in Europe Anthropogenic emissions of the main air pollutants decreased significantly in most EEA member countries between 1990 and 2014: emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) decreased by 51 % (55 % in the EU-28); emissions of sulphur oxides (SO x ) decreased by 80 % (88 % in the EU-28); emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) decreased by 57 % (60 % in the EU-28); emissions of ammonia (NH 3 ) decreased by 11 % (24 % in the EU-28); emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) decreased by 36 % (36 % in the EU-28). The EU-28 met its continuing obligation to maintain emissions of NO x , SO x , NH 3 and NMVOCs below legally binding targets, as specified by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). A number of EU Member States reported emissions that were above their NECD emission ceilings: three countries (Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for NO x , five (Austria, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain) exceeded emission ceilings for NH 3 and two (Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for NMVOCs. There are no emission ceilings for primary PM 2.5 . Three additional EEA member countries (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) had emission ceilings for 2010 that were set in the Gothenburg Protocol under the 1979 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Liechtenstein and Norway reported emissions above their NH 3 ceilings. Emission reduction commitments for 2020 have been set under the revised Gothenburg Protocol for NO x , SO x , NMVOC, NH 3 and PM 2.5 . The EU-28 as a whole is on track to meet its reduction commitments.

90.4 percentile of PM10 daily concentrations at background stations, 2014 The map shows the 90.4 percentile of the PM10 daily mean concentrations, representing the 36th highest value in a complete series. It is related to the PM10 daily limit value, which allows 35 exceedances of the 50 μg/m3 threshold over a 1 year period. The red and dark-red dots indicate stations with exceedances of this daily limit value. Only stations with more than 75 % valid data have been included in the map.

Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations observed at traffic stations, 2014 The figure shows the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) observed at traffic stations in 2014.

Air quality standards under the Air Quality Directive, and WHO air quality guidelines Table

EU progress in meeting emission ceilings set out in the NECD Annexes I and II EU progress in meeting emission ceilings (for compliance and for environmental objectives) of the four main air pollutants regulated in the 2001 National Emission Ceilings Directive

PM2.5 interpolated maps The maps were derived for 2007, 2008 and 2010 primarily from Airbase background station monitoring data, few EMEP station monitoring data, supplemented with altitude, meteorological ECMWF data and EMEP concentration modelling data. The dataset has been reorganised in order to improve data harmonization among years and to facilitate storage and processing of the interpolated maps for the EEA data services.

PM10 interpolated maps The maps are derived primarily from Airbase background station monitoring data, few EMEP station monitoring data, supplemented with altitude, meteorological ECMWF data and EMEP concentration modelling data. The dataset has been reorganised in order to improve data harmonization among years and to facilitate storage and processing of the interpolated maps for the EEA data services.

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