Kiera Jefferson
Europe has the largest and wealthiest economy in the world, but there is a great diversity of pollution across the continent. While some countries have the highest overall emissions, others have significant per capita footprints, and others struggle with disproportionately high levels of air pollution. Germany is the biggest absolute polluter in Europe, producing the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions within the European Union. However, Turkey is the most polluted country in Europe, with high carbon dioxide pollution, concentrations of PM2.5, and waste discarded per capita each year. Northern Macedonia and Serbia suffer the most deaths from pollution, while Bulgaria, Poland, and Italy consistently experience high levels of PM2.5.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the highest CO2 emissions | Germany |
| Country with the highest per capita emissions in the EU in 2021 | Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Czech Republic |
| Country with the worst national and international climate policy | Hungary |
| Country with the worst air quality | North Macedonia |
| Country with the most deaths from pollution | North Macedonia |
| Most polluted country in Europe | Turkey |
| Cleanest country in Europe | Sweden |
| Factors contributing to pollution levels | Fossil fuel dependence, heavy industrial activity, and high traffic volumes in urban areas |
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What You'll Learn
Germany is the biggest absolute polluter in Europe
Germany, France, and Italy were the European countries with the highest overall GHG emissions in 2021, ranging from ~375,000 to 740,000 ktonnes CO2 eq. However, when accounting for population differences, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Czech Republic had the highest per capita emissions in the EU in 2021, exceeding 10 tonnes CO2 eq per capita.
While Germany has high emissions, it is also one of the leading countries in renewable energy solutions, with ambitious and stringent climate policies in place to achieve emission reductions. For example, Germany has significantly invested in solar panel installations and air source heat pumps.
In contrast, countries like Hungary, Poland, and Romania have been criticized for their counter-productive and harmful policies restricting the deployment of renewable energy, such as banning the expansion of wind power and increasing fossil fuel subsidies. These countries have been identified as the worst-performing European countries by the CCPI due to their high GHG emissions, lagging climate policies, and high energy use.
When considering the absolute contribution to pollution in Europe, Germany stands as the biggest polluter. However, it is important to acknowledge that the situation is complex, and other countries, like Hungary, Poland, and Romania, also play a significant role in the region's pollution levels due to their poor climate performance.
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Turkey is the most polluted country in Europe
Carbon dioxide pollution in Turkey is 4.33 tonnes per capita per year, and the concentrations of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues, are 41 µg/m3, far exceeding the World Health Organization's guideline limit of 10 µg/m3. As a result, there are 44 deaths attributable to air pollution per 100,000 capita per year in Turkey, a significant issue that affects the health of the nation, especially children and vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly.
Compounding the issue, Turkey has limited natural mitigation measures, with only 15.2% of its land area consisting of forests, and a mere 0.2% of its terrestrial or marine areas protected. The country discards 424.625 kg of waste per capita each year, further contributing to the pollution problem.
Turkey's pollution is largely driven by road transport and coal power plants. The number of vehicles in the country has increased significantly, with 25 million on the roads in 2020 compared to 4 million in 1990. Additionally, coal-fired power stations, particularly older ones using low-quality lignite coal, are major contributors to air pollution, emitting harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The main factor affecting air pollution levels in Turkish cities is vehicle density.
It is worth noting that Turkey is not the only European country facing pollution challenges. Other countries, such as Poland, France, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic, also have significant pollution levels and emissions contributing to the climate crisis. However, according to GreenMatch's comprehensive study, Turkey currently holds the title of the most polluted country in Europe.
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Bulgaria, Poland, and Italy have the highest levels of air pollution
According to a 2011 report from the United Nations, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Romania lead the world in deaths from outdoor air pollution. Bulgarian cities have the highest levels of two kinds of particulate matter that can lead to serious health issues, ranging from asthma to cancer. The main causes of air pollution in Bulgaria are coal-fired power plants, household combustion of solid fuels, transportation, and industrial processes. The country's population still relies heavily on burning solid fuel, mostly low-quality coal, which produces a significant amount of smoke and ash.
Following Bulgaria, Poland is the second country with the highest levels of air pollution in Europe. Poland's dirty air is estimated to cause approximately 45,000 deaths each year, and 33 out of 50 cities with the dirtiest air in Europe are located within the country. The primary sources of smog in Poland are coal and wood heating systems, both for domestic and industrial use. However, it is worth noting that Poland is taking steps to address this issue by replacing its outdated heating infrastructure.
Italy, specifically Northern Italy, also faces elevated rates of PM2.5 mortality, driven primarily by residential sources such as burning coal for heating homes and agricultural activities. Additionally, Italy's ozone problem is attributed to a combination of weather conditions and industrial activities, particularly in the Po Valley region.
It is important to recognize that air pollution is a significant environmental health threat in Europe, often overlapping with factors such as a lack of green spaces, noise pollution, and extreme heat, all of which impact human health.
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Hungary has the worst national and international climate policy
Europe has the largest and wealthiest economy in the world, but there is a great diversity of pollution across the continent. Turkey has been ranked as the most polluted country in Europe, with high carbon dioxide pollution and PM2.5 concentrations. Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro also have high pollution levels.
While Hungary may not be the largest contributor to pollution in Europe, it has been identified as the EU country with the worst national and international climate policy. Climate and energy policy experts assessed Hungary's climate policy as counter-productive and harmful, giving it very low grades on a 1-10 scale. The country has implemented restrictive policies on the deployment of renewable energy, such as a ban on the expansion of wind power and increased fossil fuel subsidies and extraction. Hungary's strategy lacks clear and actionable measures to achieve its climate goals, with a top-down approach that does not consider real data in critical sectors like buildings, transport, agriculture, and waste.
Hungary's climate policy has been criticized for its negative impact on renewable energy development. For example, the country has imposed a ban on the expansion of wind power, hindering the utilization of clean energy sources. Additionally, Hungary has increased subsidies and extraction efforts for fossil fuels, further contributing to environmental concerns. These counter-productive policies have been deemed harmful by experts, as they directly contradict global efforts to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Moreover, Hungary's climate strategy lacks a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of critical sectors. Clear policies are notably absent in sectors where GHG reduction is most crucial, such as buildings, transport, agriculture, and waste management. The country's focus remains heavily on the energy sector, neglecting other areas that significantly contribute to carbon emissions. This narrow focus may hinder Hungary's ability to achieve its climate goals and align with the European Union's climate targets, including the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hungary's performance in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) further highlights its shortcomings. In the 2025 ranking, Hungary placed 45th, indicating a low climate performance. The country received particularly low ratings in the categories of Renewable Energy and Energy Use, as well as Climate Policy. Hungary's struggle with vague policies and government-controlled misinformation on climate change contributes to its poor performance in the CCPI.
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Sweden is the cleanest European country
Sweden has been named the cleanest country in Europe, according to findings by GreenMatch. The country also ranks highly on a global scale, with an Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score of 70.5, placing it among the top 10 cleanest countries in the world. Sweden has a long tradition of environmental awareness and innovation, becoming the first country to introduce an environmental tax reform in 1991.
Sweden excels in environmental health, with strong scores in sanitation, drinking water quality, air quality, and heavy metal controls. The country also performs well in ecosystem vitality, with sustainably managed forests and low levels of agricultural pollution. Sweden has a high share of renewable energy sources, particularly wind and biomass, and aims to achieve carbon neutrality through these initiatives.
In comparison to other European countries, Sweden has the lowest concentration of PM2.5, a harmful air pollutant, with values of 6 μg/m3. Sweden's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy sources has resulted in clean skies and minimal household pollution. The country's performance in waste management is also commendable, with effective policies in place.
Sweden's environmental achievements are notable, especially considering the diverse pollution challenges faced by European countries. While Turkey is identified as the most polluted European country, with high carbon dioxide pollution and waste generation, Sweden stands out for its successful mitigation strategies and commitment to environmental protection. Sweden's performance serves as a model for other nations striving for sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany is the biggest absolute polluter in Europe, producing the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions within the European Union. In 2022, Germany emitted nearly 635 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. However, Turkey is the most polluted country in Europe with an overall score of 6.1/10.
In 2021, the highest per capita emissions in the EU were from Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. These countries exceeded 10 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per capita.
Bulgaria, Poland, and Italy consistently experience high levels of PM2.5. Urban areas in these countries often struggle with poor air quality, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other health issues. Cities like Slavonski Brod in Croatia have alarmingly high PM2.5 concentrations, reaching six times the recommended maximum levels.
