22 November, 2024
The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) has now been published in the official journal of the EU, marking the final step towards action on cleaner air in Europe.
The revised AAQD tightens restrictions on a number of key air pollutants which have been demonstrated to be harmful to human health. EU Member States now have two years to transpose this into national law, and must meet the new air quality standards by 2030.
The publication of the AAQD in the EU’s official journal is the final step towards taking action on air quality standards in Europe. Currently, up to 97% of Europeans breathe unhealthy air; around 300,000 premature deaths are caused in Europe each year due to air pollution.
ERS experts have been engaging directly with policymakers regarding the revision of the EU’s AAQD for a number of years, urging them to follow the science and place health at the centre of any political agreement regarding an improvement in Europe’s air quality standards. This is part of the Society’s ongoing commitment to advocating for better lung health across Europe and worldwide.