Europe’s air quality improves as major pollutants ‘steadily decrease’

Europe’s air quality is getting better, despite “persistent pollution episodes” threatening to halt progress.

The EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) says in its latest report that while some parts of the continent are still experiencing issues with local air pollution the overall outlook “remains encouraging”.

The Assessment Report on European Air Quality 2025 details air quality trends and information on the main pollutants regulated by the Ambient Air Quality Directive, which aims to align the EU’s air quality standards more closely with recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What’s driving Europe’s cleaner air?

Since 2015, emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have fallen by approximately three to five per cent per year across the EU, with the most significant reductions in industry and road transport.