Air Pollution: Eu Citizens' Thoughts

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the EU, with hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occurring annually due to exposure to pollutant concentrations above World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. It is the largest environmental health risk in Europe, causing various diseases and reducing the average life expectancy in the region. People's opinions on air pollution in the EU vary, but there is a general consensus that it is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. While the EU has made progress in reducing air pollution over the past two decades, with emissions declining and air quality improving, there is still a long way to go to achieve the zero pollution vision for 2050. The EU is working on new rules and legislation to enable this ambition, and member states are taking action to reduce emissions and improve air quality. However, the complexity of air pollution, with many types of pollutants and varying levels across different regions, makes it a challenging issue to tackle.

Air pollution is a public health crisis

The European Commission reports that this type of pollution causes 300,000 premature deaths annually in the EU. UNEP’s “Air Pollution Note”, based on 2019 data, paints a mixed picture for the EU. In France and Belgium, the population is exposed to levels of fine particles 2.2 and 2.6 times higher than the WHO threshold. In Italy, Hungary and Romania, the average level is 3.2 times higher than the WHO guideline. In Poland, fine particle pollution is twice as high as in Belgium and 4.6 times the WHO threshold.

The EU has a zero pollution vision for 2050 and is working on a new set of rules to enable it to realise that ambition. The Green Deal’s “zero pollution” action plan targets reducing premature deaths caused by fine particles by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. Between 2005 and 2022, the number of deaths in the EU attributable to PM2.5 fell by 45%, moving the EU closer to achieving its target.

Air pollution has other impacts beyond human health. It also has negative effects on the planet's ecosystems and vegetation, and thus on our economy. Ground-level ozone damages agricultural crops and forests by reducing growth rates, thus lowering yields and affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services. According to the European Environment Agency, in 2019 many EU countries lost more than 5% of their wheat yield due to ozone, leading to huge economic losses. Nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the air are deposited on land and in water bodies.

Society’s most vulnerable are more susceptible to air pollution impacts. Lower socio-economic groups tend to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution, while older people, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible. Over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age are estimated to be caused by air pollution every year in EEA member and collaborating countries.

The most vulnerable are the most affected

Despite the European Union's (EU) significant progress in reducing air pollution, vulnerable populations remain disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. These groups, including the poor, the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face greater health risks due to their age, socioeconomic status, or state of health.

Lower socioeconomic groups tend to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution. This disparity is often linked to their income, employment status, or level of education, which influences their ability to avoid or cope with environmental hazards. For instance, individuals in low-income zones may lack access to cleaner heating options, contributing to increased air pollution exposure.

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, as it can adversely affect their lung development and increase the risk of respiratory diseases, cough, bronchitis, and asthma. Additionally, specific exposure patterns, such as hand-to-mouth activities, can further elevate their risk of exposure to harmful pollutants.

The elderly are another vulnerable group. Older individuals may have pre-existing health conditions or a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. Their ability to cope with environmental hazards may also be influenced by factors such as income and access to healthcare.

People with pre-existing health conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, are more vulnerable to the harmful particles and pollutants in the air. For example, those with asthma may experience increased sensitivity to air pollutants, leading to sensory irritation and aggravated asthma symptoms.

While the EU has implemented policies to improve air quality and address social and economic inequalities, more targeted action is needed to protect Europe's most vulnerable citizens from the adverse health impacts of air pollution. This includes improving spatial planning, road traffic management, and providing subsidies for cleaner heating options in low-income areas.

The EU's plan for zero pollution by 2050

Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk in Europe, causing an estimated 239,000 premature deaths in 2022 alone. It is also a significant burden on the healthcare sector, causing diseases like asthma, heart disease, and stroke. Lower socio-economic groups tend to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution, while older people, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to its effects.

The EU has acknowledged the severity of this issue and has set a zero-pollution vision for 2050. The Zero Pollution Action Plan, adopted by the European Commission in May 2021, aims to create a toxic-free environment by reducing air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems. The plan includes key 2030 targets to accelerate pollution reduction at the source.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the EU is taking several crucial steps. Firstly, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) has been strengthened to prevent industrial pollution from harming human health and the environment. Companies are now required to use the best available techniques (BAT) to minimise emissions and environmental impacts, with new rules applying to sectors like mining, battery gigafactories, and agriculture. The EU is also working on a new set of rules to enable the transition to a cleaner, carbon-neutral, circular economy, reducing emissions of key air pollutants by up to 40% by 2050.

The European Green Deal, part of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, includes headline actions such as the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, which aims to protect citizens and the environment from hazardous chemicals. The EU is also taking action to improve air quality, ensure chemical safety, transition to a circular economy, and make industries more sustainable, all while strengthening its green, digital, and economic leadership.

The EU's zero-pollution vision for 2050 is a comprehensive and necessary approach to addressing the significant health and environmental impacts of air pollution. By reducing emissions, improving industrial practices, and protecting vulnerable populations, the EU is striving to create a healthier and more sustainable future for its citizens and the planet.

The impact of air pollution on the economy

Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk in Europe, causing an estimated 239,000 premature deaths in 2022. The impact of air pollution extends beyond the human cost, significantly affecting the economy.

The European Environment Agency has outlined how air pollution can impact Europe's economy through increased healthcare costs, reduced life expectancy, and lost working days across sectors. Lower socio-economic groups are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, exacerbating health inequalities. The vulnerable, including older people, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.

The agricultural sector, a significant contributor to air pollution, is particularly vulnerable to its economic consequences. Ground-level ozone (O3) damages crops and forests, reducing growth rates and yields and affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services. In 2019, many EU countries experienced substantial economic losses, with more than a 5% loss in wheat yield due to ozone.

Air pollution also damages ecosystems, water and soil quality, and local ecosystems. The burning of solid fuels for domestic heating and industrial use in Central and Eastern Europe and Italy has resulted in high levels of particulate matter, impacting both the environment and human health.

While the EU has made progress in reducing emissions, with an overall decrease in environmental and health costs from industry between 2012 and 2021, more action is needed to meet the zero pollution vision for 2050. The EU's Ambient Air Quality Directives set air quality standards for 12 air pollutants, and the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive establishes national commitments for reducing key pollutants.

The effectiveness of the EU's air quality directives

The EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC) have been subject to a comprehensive 'fitness check' evaluation, which considered their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, and added value to the EU. This evaluation drew on the experiences of all Member States from 2008 to 2018, during which both directives were in force. The findings of this check informed further reflections on the directives' suitability and their legislative framework.

In addition to the fitness check, the Commission has also initiated a revision process for the Ambient Air Quality Directives. This process aims to strengthen the directives by aligning them more closely with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). For instance, the annual limit value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), one of the most harmful air pollutants, will be halved. The revision also seeks to improve the legal framework by providing clarity on access to justice, damage redress, effective penalties, and better public information on air quality.

The EU has also been consulting with citizens and stakeholders to gather their views and feedback on the revision process. This includes open public consultations and targeted stakeholder meetings. The Commission is working to strengthen the provisions on air quality monitoring, modelling, and plans to support local authorities in achieving cleaner air. The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive, which will come into force in December 2024, merges the previous two directives into one, streamlining the rules to make them clearer and simpler.

While the effectiveness of the EU's air quality directives is continually assessed and improved, air pollution remains a significant challenge in Europe. Despite decreasing air pollution levels over the last two decades, air quality issues continue to pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems. The EU has acknowledged this, setting a zero-pollution vision for 2050 and working towards new rules and standards to achieve this ambitious goal.

Frequently asked questions