EU/Air pollution: reduction of all air pollutants between 1990 and 2023 (EEA report)

"The reported emissions of all pollutants were lower in 2023 than in 2005. During that period, the total EU-27 emissions for each of the pollutants were lower than the current emission reduction commitments. Thus, the EU overachieved its current reduction commitments", tells the 2025 emission inventory report of the EEA (European Environment Agency), published on 27/06/2025. This report analyses the trends of the main air pollutants in the scope of the Air Convention (UNECE, 1979) and the Gothenburg Protocol (1999).

"These pollutants harm human health and the environment. Certain pollutants also contribute to forming ground‑level ozone (O3) and secondary PM (particulate matter) in the atmosphere. Some pollutants also affect how sunlight is absorbed by Earth and reflected back to space, which impacts the climate", outlines the report.

Major emissions trends between 1990 and 2023

The major emissions trends of EU pollutants between 1990 et 2023 are as follows:

• SOX sulphur oxides has been reduced by 95% since 1990 and by 14% since the previous reporting cycle.

• NOX nitrogen…