EU DECODED: Governments may try to delay action on air pollution

Air pollutant levels in the European Union are above the guidelines set by the World Health Organization in 2021. Around 300,000 Europeans die prematurely every year due to air pollution.

This problem is also one of the main causes of several diseases, including asthma, lung cancer, strokes and diabetes. Energy production, agriculture and industry are the activities that contribute most to air pollution, although in urban areas traffic is a major source of pollution.

To improve the situation, the EU has revised its Ambient Air Quality Directive with stricter limits to come into force from 2030, which was agreed by all 27 member states this month.

For example, microscopic particles known as PM2.5 must be reduced from 25 to 10 µg/m3. Nitrogen dioxide must be reduced from 40 to 20 µg/m3.

The European Commission acknowledges that air pollution affects vulnerable people the most, including children, the elderly, the chronically ill and the least wealthy. Euronews heard the concerns of citizens in Athens (Greece) and Rome (Italy), two cities with serious air quality problems.

"I think the air in Athens is very bad because there are so many cars. Many people avoid public transport or don't walk, they prefer cars," said a young Greek.

"We need to make a commitment and raise awareness among all citizens, perhaps through street campaigns, about how serious the current situation is, that we are practically at a point of no return," said a young Italian woman.

The good news for citizens is that the directive strengthens their access to justice: "The directive explicitly states that if someone's health is harmed because a government or company has failed to act against air pollution, that person has the right to take legal action to obtain