Most EU states not on track to reduce air pollution by 2030 – Commission’s report

Most member states are at risk of not complying with their 2020 or 2030 emission reduction commitments, according to the European Commission’s first report on the implementation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive).

Alongside the implementation report, the European Union’s executive arm has also released its consultants’ analysis of each member state’s National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) and emission projections.

Member states need to step up efforts across all sectors

The NAPCP is the main governance instrument by which EU member states must ensure that the emission reduction commitments for 2020-2029 and 2030 onwards are met.

Member states need to step up efforts across all sectors to make sure their citizens can breathe clean air, preventing respiratory diseases and premature death caused by breathing polluted air, the commission said on its website.

The report demonstrates the need for additional measures in order to reduce air pollution.

Effective implementation of clean air legislation forms an essential contribution to a zero pollution ambition, announced by the commission in the European Green Deal

Efforts are especially needed in agriculture to reduce ammonia emissions, which is the most common and severe implementation challenge across the EU.

Effective implementation of clean air legislation forms an essential contribution to ‘a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment’, announced by the commission in the European Green Deal and related initiatives.

“All across Europe, too many citizens are still at risk from the air they breathe. We need more effective measures to cut pollution in the numerous member states and to tackle air emissions across sectors, including agriculture, transport and energy. There has never been a better time to make these changes: investing in cleaner air means investing in citizens’ health, in our climate, and it’s the kick-start our economy needs,” EU Commissioner for the Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Virginijus Sinkevičius said.