COPENHAGEN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Europe has made progress in improving air quality, but further action is needed to meet stricter targets set for 2030 and to tackle persistent ground-level ozone pollution, the European Environment Agency (EEA), headquartered in Copenhagen, said on Thursday.
In its latest assessment, the EEA said most air quality monitoring stations across Europe comply with current European Union (EU) standards for key pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). However, pollution levels still exceed legal limits at up to 20 percent of monitoring stations, particularly for particulate matter (PM10), ground-level ozone (O3) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).
The findings are presented in the "Air Quality Status Report 2026," based on data from 2024 and 2025. The report compares pollutant levels against existing EU standards, 2030 targets and the stricter guidelines of the World Health Organization(WHO).
Despite improvements, air pollution across much of Europe remains above WHO guideline levels. It also represents the greatest environmental health risk in the region, with more than 90 percent of Europeans exposed to levels exceeding recommended limits, especially in cities.
Ground-level ozone remains a key concern. Formed through complex reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds under sunlight, it is harder to control than other pollutants.
The EEA warned that climate change may worsen ozone pollution due to more frequent heat conditions. Ozone is linked to around 63,000 deaths annually in the EU, and causes billions of euros in economic damage, including crop losses.
The agency called for stronger action at the national, European and international levels, noting that ozone pollution can travel across borders. Under revised EU rules, members will need to strengthen measures to meet stricter air quality standards set for 2030. ■
