Breakthrough Agreement to Ensure Cleaner Air in the EU

On 20 February 2024, negotiators from both the Parliament and the Council reached a preliminary political agreement focused on ensuring cleaner air within the EU. The overall objective is ambitious yet vital: complete elimination of air pollution by 2050, protecting human health, preserving natural ecosystems, and promoting biodiversity. 

Background: A Call for Change 

Air pollution remains the primary environmental factor contributing to premature deaths in the EU, claiming approximately 300,000 lives each year. In an urgent response, the Commission proposed a revision of the EU’s air quality rules in October 2022, setting more robust targets for 2030 with the ultimate aim of achieving zero pollution by 2050, aligning with the Zero Pollution Action Plan. 

Stricter Guidelines for Cleaner Air 

The recently introduced rules set significantly stricter limits and target values for 2030, surpassing existing regulations. Notably, key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), and SO2 (sulphur dioxide) will face tighter controls. For PM2.5 and NO2, the annual limit values will be more than halved. Regular reviews of air quality standards are incorporated to ensure that they are kept in line with the latest scientific discoveries. 

Flexibility and Accountability for Member States  

Acknowledging the challenges of meeting air quality limit values, Member States will be able to request an extension of up to ten years under specific conditions. The agreement strives for transparency by standardizing air quality indices, making them clear and accessible across the EU. Furthermore, it gives citizens and environmental NGOs the right to challenge the implementation of the directive, fostering accountability. Citizens will also be entitled to compensation if their health is adversely affected due to violations of the new national rules. 

Citizen Protection: Access to Justice and Compensation 

In a noteworthy development, affected citizens and environmental NGOs will now have the right to access justice to contest the directive's implementation.  

Roadmaps to Cleaner Air 

In addition to air quality plans for nations surpassing limits, every Member State commits to developing air quality roadmaps by 31 December 2028. These roadmaps will outline both short- and long-term measures to meet the new 2030 limit values, emphasizing a holistic strategy for cleaner air. 

What's Next? 

While this agreement is a significant step forward, it still needs final adoption by the Parliament and Council. Once ratified, the new law will be published in the EU Official Journal, taking effect 20 days later. Member States will then have two years to implement these transformative rules.