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Last updated
July 26, 2025

European Union

Air pollution and European Union legislation represents some of the world's most comprehensive efforts to address transboundary pollution challenges through coordinated policy action. EU research and regulatory frameworks have established ambitious air quality standards and reduction targets that serve as models for other regions. Studies document both the successes and ongoing challenges in meeting these standards across diverse European environments. Explore the evidence showing how EU air quality policies are protecting public health and what lessons they offer for global pollution reduction efforts.
  • The current EU limit is 40μg/m³ which will fall to 20μg/m³ in 2030. Levels in Athens increased from an average mean of around 53μg/m³ in 2013 to just under 70μg/m³ in 2023 (Day, 2025)
  • The EU invested around €46.4 billion supporting air quality programmes between 2014 and 2020, and will have spent €185.5 billion by the end of the 2021-2027 period (Day, 2025)
  • German low emission zones led to 5% reduction in PM pollution (MCC, 2024)
  • Over 95% of Europe is exposed to ozone levels that exceed WHO guidelines (Achebak et al., 2024)
  • Ground-level ozone (O3) exposure in Europe is cause of premature mortality (Achebak et al., 2024)

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