Europe's Successful Strategies To Reduce Air Pollution

Despite efforts to tackle air pollution in Europe, it remains a persistent problem, harming health and ecosystems. Air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung cancer, and diminished life expectancy. To address this, the European Commission has established a legal framework for improving air quality, with Member States required to develop air quality plans to implement pollution control strategies and meet legal requirements. These strategies include general regulations on air quality control, road traffic-related emission control interventions, energy generation-related emission control interventions, and greenhouse gas emission control interventions for climate change mitigation. Low emission zones, for example, have proven effective in reducing ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter levels. Other approaches include developing sustainable transport in cities, implementing solid waste management, providing access to clean household fuels and technologies, and encouraging technological innovation to decrease emissions from stationary sources and conventional vehicles.

Energy conservation and clean fuels

Energy conservation and the adoption of clean fuels are key strategies in reducing air pollution in Europe. The European Union and its Member States have set concrete and ambitious targets to transition towards a cleaner energy system. The EU's updated energy framework reflects this, with revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive, and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive. The aim is to support clean heating solutions and phase out fossil fuel-based boilers gradually.

The EU has set binding targets for 2030, including an increase in the share of renewable sources to 32% of gross final energy consumption and a decrease of 7% for final energy consumption and 9% for primary energy consumption compared to 2020 levels. These targets are legally binding under the Climate Law, and the EU Commission has proposed even more ambitious goals for 2030. The recent REPowerEU plan further accelerates this clean energy transition, aiming to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

Despite progress, the heating and cooling sector remains a significant source of air pollution. In 2020, almost 80% of household energy use was for space and water heating, with over half supplied by burning fossil fuels. To address this, the EU has promoted efficient district heating and heat pumps, with the heating and cooling sector achieving a 25% renewable energy share in 2022. However, heat pumps still represent a small portion, contributing only 15%.

To further reduce air pollution, the EU must continue to invest in renewable and waste energy sources for heating and cooling, reducing gas consumption and climate impacts. The production of renewable energy by consumers, or "prosumption", offers a pathway for citizens to increase their energy independence and contribute to decarbonization efforts. A speedy transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy sources will significantly reduce the climate, health, and environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.

Reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency

Europe has made significant strides in reducing air pollution and improving air quality. One of the critical strategies has been reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. This has been achieved through various interventions and policies implemented across different sectors.

In the energy sector, there has been a shift from coal to gas for power generation. This transition has contributed to the decline in greenhouse gas emissions. According to the European Environment Agency, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 have seen a rapid decline, reaching 24% below 1990 levels. This reduction is attributed to EU and national policies, increased use of renewables, and improvements in energy efficiency.

The transport sector is another key area of focus. While emissions from transport have been a challenge, efforts to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce emissions are ongoing. The European Commission has implemented CO₂ emission performance standards for cars and vans, promoting the development of new technologies. Manufacturers can obtain emission credits for vehicles equipped with eco-innovations, encouraging the adoption of more efficient air conditioning systems and other advancements.

To address emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), the EU has adopted the Regulation on CO2 emission standards, with targets for fleet-wide average CO2 emissions starting in 2025. This regulation will drive the development and adoption of zero-emission technologies, supporting the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable transport system.

Additionally, low emission zones have been established in urban areas to reduce ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter levels, which have shown positive results in improving air quality and public health. These interventions have a direct impact on the health of individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, who are more vulnerable to air pollution.

Overall, the strategies implemented in Europe to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency have contributed to significant progress in mitigating air pollution and improving public health outcomes. However, continued efforts and substantial changes across all sectors are necessary to achieve long-term sustainability and climate neutrality goals.

Low-emission zones

LEZs are implemented in areas where air pollution levels are dangerous to health, and they have been shown to be effective in reducing ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter levels. Most LEZs affect heavy-duty goods vehicles, usually over 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), but they can also apply to diesel vans and diesel and petrol cars. In some cases, motorcycles and three-wheelers are also liable to control.

The specific regulations and enforcement methods vary across Europe. For example, in France, drivers need a Crit'air sticker (an air quality certificate) to drive during pollution peaks or in certain defined areas. This sticker indicates the vehicle's pollution level. Some cities in France have also introduced limited traffic zones that reduce or ban car traffic in city centres. Similarly, in Spain, new LEZs have been introduced in 149 towns and cities, where vehicles must meet environmental criteria to enter. In Norway, there are eco-zones in Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand, where drivers must pay a toll that depends on their vehicle's pollution level.

The impact of LEZs has been positive, with diesel particulates (PM10) dropping in most zones and health improvements reported. However, it is important to note that the enforcement of LEZs may disproportionately impact individuals with lower socioeconomic status, as they may not be able to afford cleaner vehicles. To mitigate this, some places only enforce the LEZ when public transport is available or when electric taxis or cargo bikes are subsidized.

In addition to LEZs, there are also ultra-low-emission zones (ULEZ) and zero-emission zones (ZEZ). ULEZs have stricter emissions requirements than LEZs, while ZEZs only allow zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), such as electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles.

Sustainable transport in cities

Sustainable mobility, also known as ecomobility, is defined as "efficient, safe, equitable, healthy, participatory, and competitive mobility". Its main goal is to achieve travel that does not negatively impact the surrounding environment. Sustainable mobility can improve quality of life through the use of eco-friendly technologies and local resources. It also contributes to better health, reduces harmful particles in the air, decreases traffic jams and stress, increases travel efficiency, and reduces noise pollution and oil exploitation. In the European Union, transport accounts for 30% of CO2 emissions, with 72% of these emissions coming from road transport. Cars are the main pollutant.

To reduce air pollution in cities, a combination of measures is needed to address air quality, emissions, urban congestion, and noise. These include improving public transport and promoting active modes of transport such as walking and cycling. The International Transport Forum's (ITF) Outlook 2023 offers guidelines to steer mobility practitioners' decisions for the benefit of both transport users and the environment. The report urges practitioners to speed up the transition to zero and low-emission vehicles and make public transport more attractive through financial incentives.

Cities such as Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin are leading the way in sustainable mobility. Bremen has also been recognised for embracing car-sharing in the 1990s, and Tbilisi has overhauled its entire transport system. The European Commission supports the transition to sustainable mobility through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), committing to spending 60% of its budget on infrastructure projects with a link to sustainability. The CEF is working towards creating a European network of charging infrastructure for alternative fuels and enabling a highly performing, interoperable European railway network.

To further encourage sustainable transport in cities, the European Commission launched a Call for Applications for the Sustainable Transport Forum in 2015. The Commission also hosts the annual European Mobility Week, which focuses on sustainable and energy-efficient mobility. This week includes around 3,000 towns and cities from over 40 countries raising awareness about sustainable urban mobility and encouraging behavioural change in favour of public transport and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.

Industrial emissions reductions

Industrial emissions have been a significant contributor to air pollution in Europe, with large combustion plants (LCPs) being among the largest emitters of air pollutants. To address this issue, the European Union (EU) has implemented the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (IED), which includes special provisions for LCPs. The IED has achieved significant reductions in LCP pollutant emissions by setting minimum requirements for certain pollutant emissions. This legislation also covers the largest and most polluting intensive pig and poultry farms in the EU, helping to reduce nitrogen pollution in the air, water, and soil.

The IED 2.0, which came into force in August 2024, aims to minimise the impact of pollution on people's health and the environment by reducing harmful industrial and intensive livestock emissions across the EU. To achieve this, the directive promotes innovation and transformation through the most effective viable emissions reduction techniques. It tightens rules on emissions with stricter limit values and more stringent conditions on granting derogations. The directive also streamlines permitting through the new Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation, enhancing access to environmental data.

One of the key strategies for reducing industrial emissions is the identification and implementation of Best Available Techniques (BATs). BATs are identified through the Sevilla Process, managed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). This process results in the development of BAT Reference Documents (BREFs) and BAT Conclusions (BATCs), which form the basis for drafting permit conditions by Member States' permitting authorities. Permits include binding quantitative resource efficiency requirements for materials, water, and energy to address water scarcity and waste generation challenges.

To ensure compliance with the IED, harmonised environmental inspections are conducted on-site by competent authorities at regular intervals, depending on the risks associated with the activities. These inspections play a crucial role in enforcing the directive's requirements and promoting accountability among industrial facilities.

In addition to the IED, Europe has implemented various strategies to reduce industrial emissions and improve air quality. These include general regulations on air quality control, energy generation-related emission control interventions, and greenhouse gas emission control interventions for climate change mitigation. By combining these strategies with the IED's specific provisions, Europe has made significant strides in reducing industrial emissions and improving public health outcomes associated with air pollution.

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