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

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Challenges for achieving clean air — lessons from ten cities across Europe

News 18 Mar 2019

Implementing EU air quality legislation to protect human health and the environment from pollution can be demanding for countries and cities. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has worked together with a number of European cities to better understand policy implementation challenges. The EEA’s new report, published today, summarises key findings on the cities’ progress over the past five years and highlights on-going challenges for improving air quality at the local level.

More action needed to protect Europe’s most vulnerable citizens from air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures

News 04 Feb 2019

Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite overall improvements in Europe’s environmental quality.

Environment and climate impacts of aviation continue growing

News 24 Jan 2019

Improving technology, more efficient operations, better airports and market-based measures have not been enough to mitigate the aviation sector’s growing impacts on the environment, climate and people's health. These are the key findings of a new report, published jointly today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and EUROCONTROL.

EU goal on phase-down of F-gases remains on track

News 19 Dec 2018

Updated data reported by industry shows the European Union’s goal to phase-down the use of fluorinated greenhouse-gases (F-gases) remained on track in 2017, according to the latest annual update published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Challenges for achieving clean air — lessons from ten cities across Europe Implementing EU air quality legislation to protect human health and the environment from pollution can be demanding for countries and cities. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has worked together with a number of European cities to better understand policy implementation challenges. The EEA’s new report, published today, summarises key findings on the cities’ progress over the past five years and highlights on-going challenges for improving air quality at the local level.

More action needed to protect Europe’s most vulnerable citizens from air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite overall improvements in Europe’s environmental quality.

Environment and climate impacts of aviation continue growing Improving technology, more efficient operations, better airports and market-based measures have not been enough to mitigate the aviation sector’s growing impacts on the environment, climate and people's health. These are the key findings of a new report, published jointly today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and EUROCONTROL.

EU goal on phase-down of F-gases remains on track Updated data reported by industry shows the European Union’s goal to phase-down the use of fluorinated greenhouse-gases (F-gases) remained on track in 2017, according to the latest annual update published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

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How do environmental hazards affect vulnerable groups in Europe?

Article 15 Mar 2019

Targeted action is needed to better protect Europe’s most vulnerable populations, including the poor, the elderly and children, from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures. Aleksandra Kazmierczak, a European Environment Agency (EEA) climate change adaptation expert, explains the main findings of a new EEA report that assesses the links between social and demographic inequalities and exposure to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures.

Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health

Article 17 Sep 2018

Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

Environmental change: knowledge is key to mitigating impacts on people and nature

Article 15 Jun 2018

Environmental policy making is not an easy task. On the one hand, Europeans want to enjoy the benefits a well-functioning economy provides. On the other, there are significant environmental and health costs attached to our lifestyle choices. A systemic understanding of how nature, economy and human health are connected is essential for identifying the best policy options available. The European Environment Agency aims to support policy making by providing exactly this kind of knowledge.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge

Article 15 Mar 2018

Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

How do environmental hazards affect vulnerable groups in Europe? Targeted action is needed to better protect Europe’s most vulnerable populations, including the poor, the elderly and children, from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures. Aleksandra Kazmierczak, a European Environment Agency (EEA) climate change adaptation expert, explains the main findings of a new EEA report that assesses the links between social and demographic inequalities and exposure to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures.

Mercury: a persistent threat to the environment and people's health Many people still associate mercury with thermometers and most also know that it is toxic. Because of its toxicity, mercury is on its way out from products in Europe but a lot of it is still circulating in air, water, soil and ecosystems. Is mercury still a problem and what is being done about it? We interviewed Ian Marnane, EEA expert on sustainable resource use and industry.

Environmental change: knowledge is key to mitigating impacts on people and nature Environmental policy making is not an easy task. On the one hand, Europeans want to enjoy the benefits a well-functioning economy provides. On the other, there are significant environmental and health costs attached to our lifestyle choices. A systemic understanding of how nature, economy and human health are connected is essential for identifying the best policy options available. The European Environment Agency aims to support policy making by providing exactly this kind of knowledge.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

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Europes urban air quality - re-assessing implementation challenges in cities

Publication 18 Mar 2019

This report analyses the implementation of EU air quality legislation at the urban level and identifies some of the reasons behind persistent air quality problems in Europe's cities. It is produced in cooperation with 10 cities involved in a 2013 Air Implementation Pilot project: Antwerp (Belgium), Berlin (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Madrid (Spain), Malmö (Sweden), Milan (Italy), Paris (France), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Prague (Czechia) and Vienna (Austria).

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts

Publication 04 Feb 2019

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2018

Publication 19 Dec 2018

Data reported by companies on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union, 2007-2017.

Greening the power sector: benefits of an ambitious implementation of Europe's environment and climate policies

Publication 12 Dec 2018

Europe's electricity generation still relies largely on fossil fuels as an energy source and thus contributes to emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), dust and nitrogen oxides (NOx), among other pollutants. A new EEA assessment shows that with an ambitious implementation of new requirements under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, Member States can significantly reduce pollutant emissions and thus minimise their potential harmful effects on the environment and human health. There is also a close link between future reductions in pollutant emissions and EU climate and energy policy, which drives growth in renewables and the switch towards cleaner fuels in the remaining power plants. A more fundamental restructuring of the power sector is, however, needed to meet the EU's long-term decarbonisation targets.

Europes urban air quality - re-assessing implementation challenges in cities This report analyses the implementation of EU air quality legislation at the urban level and identifies some of the reasons behind persistent air quality problems in Europe's cities. It is produced in cooperation with 10 cities involved in a 2013 Air Implementation Pilot project: Antwerp (Belgium), Berlin (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Madrid (Spain), Malmö (Sweden), Milan (Italy), Paris (France), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Prague (Czechia) and Vienna (Austria).

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2018 Data reported by companies on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union, 2007-2017.

Greening the power sector: benefits of an ambitious implementation of Europe's environment and climate policies Europe's electricity generation still relies largely on fossil fuels as an energy source and thus contributes to emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), dust and nitrogen oxides (NOx), among other pollutants. A new EEA assessment shows that with an ambitious implementation of new requirements under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, Member States can significantly reduce pollutant emissions and thus minimise their potential harmful effects on the environment and human health. There is also a close link between future reductions in pollutant emissions and EU climate and energy policy, which drives growth in renewables and the switch towards cleaner fuels in the remaining power plants. A more fundamental restructuring of the power sector is, however, needed to meet the EU's long-term decarbonisation targets.

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EEA Air quality animation

Video 29 Nov 2017

Air – it’s all around us. It’s what we breathe, and it’s vital to our health and well-being. Economic activities, such as transport, industry and agriculture, release air pollutants, harmful to the environment and human health. SHOW MORE

Shaping the future of energy in Europe - Clean, smart and renewable

Video 29 Nov 2017

Our quality of life depends, among other things, on a reliable supply of energy at an affordable price. We still burn fossil fuels to obtain most of the energy we use and combustion of fossil fuels affects us all in one way or another. It releases air pollutants into the atmosphere and harms our health. It also releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. We are at a critical decision point in time: the negative impacts of our current energy choices on the one hand, and the opportunities that clean energy sources offer on the other. Signals 2017 looks into Europe’s transition towards clean, smart and renewable energy.

EEA Air quality animation Air – it’s all around us. It’s what we breathe, and it’s vital to our health and well-being. Economic activities, such as transport, industry and agriculture, release air pollutants, harmful to the environment and human health. SHOW MORE

Shaping the future of energy in Europe - Clean, smart and renewable Our quality of life depends, among other things, on a reliable supply of energy at an affordable price. We still burn fossil fuels to obtain most of the energy we use and combustion of fossil fuels affects us all in one way or another. It releases air pollutants into the atmosphere and harms our health. It also releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. We are at a critical decision point in time: the negative impacts of our current energy choices on the one hand, and the opportunities that clean energy sources offer on the other. Signals 2017 looks into Europe’s transition towards clean, smart and renewable energy.

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The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006

Data 06 May 2019

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.

Peak and 2100 concentration levels of total greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere consistent with keeping global average temperature increase below 1.5 (left) and 2 °C (right), for various probability levels

Figure 20 Mar 2019

The numer of years within which the peak concentrations levels could become exceeded are provided by the purple arrows, given the trend of the past 10 years of the total greenhouse gas concentration (based on IPCC, 2018)

Contribution of the various greenhouse gases included in the Kyoto and Montreal protocols to the overall forcing

Data Visualization 20 Mar 2019

Trends in atmospheric concentrations of CO2, CH4 and N2O

Data Visualization 20 Mar 2019

Spatial distribution of exposure to four air pollutants across Europe, 2013-2014

Figure 04 Feb 2019

The maps use a colour gradient to show the population-weighted average PM2.5 (top left), PM10 (top right), NO2 (bottom left) and O3 (bottom right) concentrations (µg/m3) by NUTS 3 region, for the years 2013 and 2014. The colour scale varies from dark green representing low values, purple representing high values.

Exposure to PM10 mapped against long-term unemployment, 2013-2014

Figure 04 Feb 2019

The map uses a colour gradient to show the long-term unemployment rate per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to PM10 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of PM10 are shown).

Reported data on large combustion plants covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU)

Data 12 Dec 2018

The European Union established an inventory of emissions from large combustion plants in 2004. The inventory was governed by the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) until 2015 year. As from 2016 reporting year, the reporting takes place according to the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU, Article 72). Large Combustion Plants are those with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used. Power plants, steel works or district heating plants are examples of these type of plants.

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation, 2004-2015

Figure 12 Dec 2018

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation for 2004 to 2015

Exceedances of air quality limit values due to traffic

Indicator Assessment 22 Nov 2018

The annual EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) — one of the main air quality pollutants of concern, which is typically associated with vehicle emissions — was widely exceeded across Europe in 2016. Some 88 % o f these exceedances occurred at roadside monitoring locations. The EU limit values for the two categories of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) were also widely exceeded. For PM 2.5 , approximately the same percentage of exceedances were recorded at traffic stations and at background stations. For PM 10 , exceedances were recorded at a greater percentage of background stations than at traffic stations. This indicates the importance of other emission sources for these pollutants, such as commercial and institutional buildings, household heating, etc.

Emissions of air pollutants from transport

Indicator Assessment 22 Nov 2018

Between 1990 and 2016, the transport sector significantly reduced emissions of the following air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (both by around 86%), sulphur oxides (SO x ) (63 %) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) (41 %). Since, 2000 a reduction in particulate matter emissions (40 % for PM 2.5 and 34 % for PM 10 ) has occurred. Emission reductions from road transport have been lower than originally anticipated over the last two decades. This is partly because transport has grown more than expected and partly because, for certain pollutants, growth in diesel vehicles (which produce higher NO x and PM emissions than petrol-fulled vehicles) has been greater than expected. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that 'real-world emissions' of NO x , particularly from diesel passenger cars and vans, generally exceed the permitted European emission (Euro) standards, which define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in the EU Member States. Emissions of all pollutants decreased in 2016 compared with the previous year. NO x emissions decreased by 0.2 % and those of CO by 3 %, while emissions of SO x increased by 12 %, and those of PM 10 and PM 2.5 both increased by 2 %. The latest data show that non-exhaust emissions of primary PM 10 and PM 2.5 , such as from tyre- and brake-wear, make up 60 % and 42 % of total road transport emissions of these pollutants, respectively. All transport modes have reduced their emissions of CO, NH 3 , NMVOCs, SO x and NOx since 1990, except for international aviation and shipping, whose NO x emissions have increased.

Global mercury emissions to air in 2010, by region, distinguishing between small-scale gold mining and other sources

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

Global mercury releases to air in 2010, by main source

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

Up-to-date air quality data

GIS Map Application 01 Aug 2018

Latest measurements from Europe's air quality monitoring network

Environmental pressures of heavy metal releases to water, 2016

GIS Map Application 24 May 2018

This map illustrates the overall pressures to water from the aggregated releases of the eight heavy metals. Values (in kilograms) of the individual releases are first multiplied by a respective ‘eco-toxicity factor’, sourced from the USEtox model. Results are then aggregated, first by facility and then illustrated spatially using a standard heat map tool.

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.

Peak and 2100 concentration levels of total greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere consistent with keeping global average temperature increase below 1.5 (left) and 2 °C (right), for various probability levels The numer of years within which the peak concentrations levels could become exceeded are provided by the purple arrows, given the trend of the past 10 years of the total greenhouse gas concentration (based on IPCC, 2018)

Contribution of the various greenhouse gases included in the Kyoto and Montreal protocols to the overall forcing

Trends in atmospheric concentrations of CO2, CH4 and N2O

Spatial distribution of exposure to four air pollutants across Europe, 2013-2014 The maps use a colour gradient to show the population-weighted average PM2.5 (top left), PM10 (top right), NO2 (bottom left) and O3 (bottom right) concentrations (µg/m3) by NUTS 3 region, for the years 2013 and 2014. The colour scale varies from dark green representing low values, purple representing high values.

Exposure to PM10 mapped against long-term unemployment, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the long-term unemployment rate per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to PM10 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of PM10 are shown).

Reported data on large combustion plants covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) The European Union established an inventory of emissions from large combustion plants in 2004. The inventory was governed by the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP Directive, 2001/80/EC) until 2015 year. As from 2016 reporting year, the reporting takes place according to the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU, Article 72). Large Combustion Plants are those with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 MW, irrespective of the type of fuel used. Power plants, steel works or district heating plants are examples of these type of plants.

Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation, 2004-2015 Indexed SO2, NOx and dust emissions from electricity generation for 2004 to 2015

Exceedances of air quality limit values due to traffic The annual EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) — one of the main air quality pollutants of concern, which is typically associated with vehicle emissions — was widely exceeded across Europe in 2016. Some 88 % o f these exceedances occurred at roadside monitoring locations. The EU limit values for the two categories of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) were also widely exceeded. For PM 2.5 , approximately the same percentage of exceedances were recorded at traffic stations and at background stations. For PM 10 , exceedances were recorded at a greater percentage of background stations than at traffic stations. This indicates the importance of other emission sources for these pollutants, such as commercial and institutional buildings, household heating, etc.

Emissions of air pollutants from transport Between 1990 and 2016, the transport sector significantly reduced emissions of the following air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (both by around 86%), sulphur oxides (SO x ) (63 %) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) (41 %). Since, 2000 a reduction in particulate matter emissions (40 % for PM 2.5 and 34 % for PM 10 ) has occurred. Emission reductions from road transport have been lower than originally anticipated over the last two decades. This is partly because transport has grown more than expected and partly because, for certain pollutants, growth in diesel vehicles (which produce higher NO x and PM emissions than petrol-fulled vehicles) has been greater than expected. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that 'real-world emissions' of NO x , particularly from diesel passenger cars and vans, generally exceed the permitted European emission (Euro) standards, which define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in the EU Member States. Emissions of all pollutants decreased in 2016 compared with the previous year. NO x emissions decreased by 0.2 % and those of CO by 3 %, while emissions of SO x increased by 12 %, and those of PM 10 and PM 2.5 both increased by 2 %. The latest data show that non-exhaust emissions of primary PM 10 and PM 2.5 , such as from tyre- and brake-wear, make up 60 % and 42 % of total road transport emissions of these pollutants, respectively. All transport modes have reduced their emissions of CO, NH 3 , NMVOCs, SO x and NOx since 1990, except for international aviation and shipping, whose NO x emissions have increased.

Global mercury emissions to air in 2010, by region, distinguishing between small-scale gold mining and other sources

Global mercury releases to air in 2010, by main source

Up-to-date air quality data Latest measurements from Europe's air quality monitoring network

Environmental pressures of heavy metal releases to water, 2016 This map illustrates the overall pressures to water from the aggregated releases of the eight heavy metals. Values (in kilograms) of the individual releases are first multiplied by a respective ‘eco-toxicity factor’, sourced from the USEtox model. Results are then aggregated, first by facility and then illustrated spatially using a standard heat map tool.

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The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), Member States reporting under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 166/2006

Data 06 May 2019

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is a web-based register established by Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 which implements the UNECE PRTR Protocol, signed in May 2003 in Kiev.