European Union

Air quality in the European Union 

Europe has made substantial progress reducing air pollution over recent decades through stronger regulation, cleaner energy systems and improved vehicle standards. However, dirty air is linked to 300,000 premature deaths and costs the EU an estimated €600 billion each year through healthcare costs, lost productivity and damage to ecosystems.

The EU’s most significant recent milestone is the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), one of the world’s most progressive air quality laws. AAQD sets binding air quality standards for countries to achieve by 2030 for all major pollutants and specifically for particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – double the ambition of the previous limits. The legislation aligns European standards more closely with World Health Organization recommended limits.

EU member states now have until the end of 2026 to transpose the EU text into their national laws.

Our work in the EU

We work with partners and civil society organisations across Europe to support the implementation of the revised AAQD and help ensure national governments translate European ambition into meaningful local action.

We also support organisations advocating for low-emission zones, cleaner domestic heating and stronger urban air quality policies. Through partnerships across Central and Eastern Europe, we help cities share evidence, build public support and accelerate implementation of proven clean air solutions.

Overall air pollutant emissions are in decline in the European Union. But there are still many hotspots where air pollution levels break the law. This poses a danger to human health and the environment.

Spotlight: Poland’s progress

Poland was home to 36 of the EU’s 50 most polluted cities. The country has long faced some of Europe’s highest levels of air pollution. Working with partners like Polish Smog Alert and Forum Energii, we have supported action for cleaner heating, stronger legislation and air quality measures. Our partners efforts have contributed to stronger Low Emission Zone legislation, anti-smog measures and growing political momentum behind clean air solutions. 

Krakow and Warsaw became the first cities in central and eastern Europe to implement low emission zones. More than 930,000 coal boilers have been replaced through Poland’s national clean heating programme. Air quality in Poland has improved: average particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations fell from 19 µg/m³ in 2019 to 16 µg/m³ in 2022, according to the European Clean Air Centre. 

An example of our work in the EU: Polish Smog Alert