🏭 Air pollutant emissions decrease significantly within the EU

• Sulfur emissions decreased the most of all pollutants, down 95 percent since 1990 and by 14 percent since last year.
• Nitrogen oxide emissions fell by 66 percent since 1990 and by 3 percent since last year.
• All air pollutants had lower emissions in 2023 than in 2005, according to new report.

Sulfur emissions decrease the most

EU's air pollutant emissions continue to decrease markedly. A new report from the European Environment Agency shows that all air pollutants had lower emissions in 2023 than in 2005.

Sulfur emissions decreased the most of all pollutants. Since 1990, emissions have decreased by 95 percent. Since the previous reporting cycle, they have decreased by 14 percent.

Nitrogen oxide emissions decreased by 66 percent since 1990. Since the previous reporting cycle, they decreased by 3 percent.

Other pollutants also decrease

Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds decreased by 63 percent since 1990. Since the previous reporting cycle, they decreased by 4 percent.

Ammonia emissions decreased by 36 percent since 1990. Since the previous reporting cycle, they did not decrease at all.

Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5) decreased by 41 percent since 2000. Since the previous reporting cycle, they decreased by 6 percent.

Energy sector contributes to reductions

Energy production and distribution is a major source of many air pollutants in the EU. In 2023, this sector was the largest source of sulfur emissions and mercury emissions.

Despite significant previous reductions, the sector contributed 43 percent of the EU's total sulfur emissions and 36 percent of mercury emissions in 2023.

The historical reductions are primarily due to switching from high-sulfur fuels to low-sulfur fuels such as natural gas. Installation of flue gas desulfurization technology in industrial facilities has also contributed.

Road transport still a major source

The road transport sector remains the largest source of nitrogen oxide emissions. It accounts for 35 percent of the EU's total nitrogen oxide emissions during the current year.

Emission reductions within the road transport sector are mainly due to harmonized application of Euro emission standards.

The report covers the period 1990-2023 and is based on data from all 27 EU member countries.

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