How the EU can meet 2030 air quality goals: 10 steps to clean air

In November 2024, the EU made a historic step toward a healthier, greener future by adopting the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD). One of the most progressive air quality laws in the world, the AAQD sets new limits on key air pollutant levels by 2030. As member states now transpose the directive into national law (deadline December 2026), one thing is clear: delivering clean air is essential and achievable.

Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk in the EU, causing around 240,000 premature deaths each year due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) alone. Millions more suffer from chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with vulnerable groups — including children, older people and low-income communities — disproportionately affected. Despite progress, over 90% of Europeans still breathe air that fails to meet the World Health Organization’s health-based guidelines. The economic costs of air pollution were estimated at more than €3 trillion for 2024-2030 – that is 2.9% of projected GDP over this period. 

10 measures to improve air quality in the EU

While member states have the option to delay compliance with the AAQD by 2030 (under article 18 of the legislation), a study shows how the EU can feasibly and fully achieve the air quality standards. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) commissioned strategic environmental and engineering solutions consultancy, Ricardo, to identify actions member states can take to become compliant with the new AAQD by 2030.

By implementing 10 targeted technical and non-technical (behavioural) measures across the energy, transport and agriculture sectors, the EU can deliver cleaner air, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect public health and the environment — all at a lower cost than inaction.

Explore the measures:

Read the report for more details on these solutions.

The myriad benefits of clean air action

These measures — from drastically reducing the most polluting combustion-based heating and shifting to active mobility, to rethinking agricultural practices — would slash harmful air pollutants and deliver substantial climate benefits, cutting CO₂ emissions by over 30% and methane by nearly 25% compared to the 2030 baseline. These sectoral actions will also help member states deliver compliance with the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive.¹

Cleaner air in one country means cleaner air for its neighbors. Likewise, greenhouse gas reduction anywhere delivers global climate benefits. By acting together, member states can amplify economic, health, environmental and climate gains across Europe and beyond. The study uses maps to show how implementing those 10 measures in the EU will also improve air quality in non-EU countries in Europe and more remote areas in north Africa and west Asia.

Alongside health and environmental gains, the economic case for implementing the 10 measures is clear: reduced hospital admissions, lower healthcare costs, higher workforce productivity, reduced noise pollution and more active mobility, together with more resilient ecosystems. And because the study used a conservative (50×50 km) modelling resolution, real-world gains are likely to be even greater, especially in dense urban areas where exposure is highest. A list of explanatory Q&A has been produced to support the reading of the study.

The way forward

The revised AAQD is a crucial milestone, but it is only a step on the way to meeting the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guidelines, which remains the ultimate goal. We need to think beyond compliance with existing legislation: achieving true zero pollution ambition requires aligning climate, energy, industrial, health, agricultural, and mobility policies with the imperative of clean air. However, the recent European Commission’s Communication for a Clean Industrial Deal does not contain the word ‘pollution’. Not only a missed opportunity, but a paradox.

Coherence across EU policies must now be a guiding principle. All legislation — from the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) — must reinforce, not undermine, air quality objectives. Public investments should prioritise measures that deliver meaningful emission cuts, rather than projects that risk locking in pollution.

Our new analysis shows that the path forward is clear and within reach. There is no excuse for delay. With decisive action now – and by refusing to postpone what can and must be done by 2030 – Europe can ensure that the next generation breathes cleaner, safer air.

Clean air is not only essential for the climate and economic prosperity – it’s also a matter of social justice, with low-income communities bearing the greatest burden of pollution. National governments should waste no time in taking decisive action to secure clean air for all.

¹The National Emission reduction Commitments Directive ((EU) 2016/2284) establishes national emission reduction commitments objectives that Member States have committed to achieve by 2020 and 2030 (having as baseline the year 2005). Reduction objectives of overall national emissions are established for 5 key air pollutants – SO2 NOx, NMVOC, NH3, PM2,5.