EU and the zero pollution targets for 2030

The European Commission and the European Environment Agency released their second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report, alongside the fourth Clean Air Outlook report.
These reports highlight the EU's progress toward achieving its 2030 zero-pollution targets. While EU policies have helped reduce air pollution, pesticide use, and plastic litter at sea, pollution remains high in areas such as noise, microplastics, nutrient pollution, and waste generation.

The reports stress the need for stronger action to meet the 2030 goals, emphasizing the integration of zero-pollution principles in all EU policies. Promoting a circular economy is seen as key to reducing environmental pressures and improving public health.
The reports show progress in some areas, like reduced marine litter and improved air quality, but also point out ongoing challenges, particularly with ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and noise pollution.

For Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy “European citizens want clean air, water and soil and safe chemicals so that their health and their environment are protected. But also businesses and farmers need a clean environment to thrive. Today we take stock of our journey towards 2030 zero pollution targets. We are heading in the right direction but challenges remain. So we need to focus on better implementation on the ground in the Member States. Only timely and ambitious delivery of our policies will allow us to create a better living environment for all.”

While progress towards the six “zero pollution” targets remains mixed, pollution is decreasing from marine litter, pesticides and antimicrobials, according to the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report.
But the number of deaths caused by polluted air remains too high, in addition, ongoing pollution, particularly from ammonia and nitrogen oxides, continues to threaten EU ecosystems.This is echoed by the fourth Clean Air Outlook report, which highlights that, while air pollutant emissions in the EU continue to fall, air quality poses a serious risk for health and ecosystem quality in the EU.
Both reports show that more action is needed to further reduce air pollution.

The reports conclude that while progress has been made, more urgent action is needed to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all EU citizens.
The Zero Pollution Action Plan, introduced in 2021, continues to guide these efforts, with the ultimate goal of reducing pollution to levels that no longer pose a risk to human health or the environment by 2050.

Learn more
Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report
Fourth Clean Air Outlook report