Air pollution: halving premature deaths possible
The number of premature deaths due to air pollution can be reduced by about 55 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 if EU member states were to implement all measures under EU legislation. The agricultural sector in particular poses a problem.
The just published Report on the outlook for air pollution in the European Union is an eye-opener. The report concludes that "if all legislation adopted by 2018 were to deliver its full benefits, and if Member States were to implement the measures announced in their national clean air programs, the EU as a whole would be able to reduce air pollutant emissions in line with the 2030 commitments under the NEC Directive (national emission ceilings for certain air pollutants)."
400 000 premature deaths
The EEA's "Air quality in Europe - 2020 report", published in November 2020, shows that while emissions of most air pollutants in the EU have declined in recent decades, air pollution remains a significant problem, the report says. It adds, "As a result of air pollution, a total of about 400,000 premature deaths are recorded in the EU each year and about two-thirds of the EU's ecosystem area is exposed to eutrophication. In addition, air pollution imposes significant economic costs, resulting in higher medical expenses, reduced productivity, for example through absenteeism from work, and lower agricultural yields.
Ammonia problem
However, more needs to be done in agriculture, EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius demanded. This is because the report clearly shows that the measures taken so far are not sufficient to reduce ammonia emissions, 90 percent of which come from the agricultural sector, to the maximum permissible levels. "The strategic plans under the new common agricultural policy must reflect this need," the commissioner said.
The report shows that if all existing legislation were fully implemented, most member states would be on track to meet 2030 reduction commitments for four of the five air pollutants covered by the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive.
The additional air pollution control measures announced in the national clean air programs would further accelerate the projected improvements, the EU release said.
Source: European Commission
