![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fabrica-fumadores-dia_395237-120.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe reports show that EU policies have contributed to\u00a0reducing air pollution<\/b>,\u00a0pesticide use\u00a0<\/b>and\u00a0plastic litter at sea<\/b>. However,\u00a0pollution levels are still too high<\/b>, in particular from harmful noise, microplastic releases into the environment, nutrient pollution and waste generation.<\/p>\n
According to the reports,\u00a0much stronger action is necessary<\/b>\u00a0in the EU\u00a0to achieve its 2030 pollution reduction targets<\/b>.\u00a0<\/b>Zero pollution principles must be integrated into all policies and efforts taken at all levels to ensure further progress. In this context, fostering the EU\u2019s circular economy will help reduce resource consumption and therefore will alleviate pressures on ecosystems and human health. Finally, action on zero pollution, notably through the\u00a0Zero Pollution Action Plan, will support the sustainable transition of the EU\u2019s economy and make it more competitive.<\/p>\n
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy,\u00a0Jessika Roswall<\/strong>, said: \u201cEuropean 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. \u00a0I look forward to working with Member States and other stakeholders to make sure that we deliver the results we need.\u201d<\/p>\n Reducing pollution is a critical part of our long-term sustainability ambitions, ultimately aiming to reduce pollution to the extent that it no longer presents a risk to human health and the environment. However, our zero-pollution review shows more action is urgently needed in key areas to reduce nutrient losses and impacts on the environment, reduce the health impacts of noise and reduce plastic pollution. Action to curb consumption and to reduce waste \u2013 which are the ultimate drivers of environmental pressures \u2013 and to promote a circular economy are crucial if we are to make progress towards our goals. The EU must shift to consumption patterns that deliver more value for citizens while reducing consumption in areas driving the greatest environmental harm: in other words, we must consume better, differently, and less.<\/p>\n While\u00a0progress towards the\u00a0<\/b>six \u2018zero pollution\u2019 targets\u00a0<\/b>remains mixed,<\/b>\u00a0pollution is decreasing<\/b>\u00a0from marine litter, pesticides and antimicrobials, according to the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report. Air quality has also improved across Europe, supported by regulatory developments and emissions reductions, resulting in a significant decrease in premature deaths. Still, 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.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report\u00a0also finds that the\u00a0pollution levels from harmful noise, microplastics, nutrient and waste remain too high<\/b>. On noise pollution, more efforts are required, particularly in urban areas, to decrease the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise. On microplastics, further measures are needed to tackle this source of pollution. In addition, nutrient losses have remained largely unchanged, particularly due to the persistent challenges of agricultural runoff and fertiliser use. On waste, greater efforts are also needed, as waste production continues to increase in the EU.<\/p>\n The report clearly shows that more action is needed to achieve the EU\u2019s zero-pollution ambition. Full implementation and enforcement of the EU environmental legislation is therefore crucial to achieve the 2030 zero-pollution targets, as set out in the\u00a0Zero Pollution Action Plan. On the legislative front, the EU has already taken steps with the revisions of the\u00a0Industrial Emissions Directive, the\u00a0Ambient Air Quality Directive, the\u00a0Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, the\u00a0Waste Framework Directive, the\u00a0Water Framework Directive\u00a0and the\u00a0Mercury Regulation. The new\u00a0Nature Restoration Regulation\u00a0will also contribute to further reduce pollution pressures on ecosystems, and increase overall ecosystem resilience. To tackle the microplastics\u2019 pollution, the Commission presented in 2023 a proposal for a Regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to the environment. Once adopted, it will help reach this pollution target in the Zero Pollution Action Plan.<\/p>\n Zero Pollution Dashboard<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Both reports are accompanied by the first Zero Pollution Dashboard, which shows the progress made by EU regions and all capital cities in achieving cleaner air, water and soil.<\/p>\n The dashboard compares regions with each other and with the EU average. The comparison is based on several environmental pollution indicators that address health, ecosystem protection and biodiversity, as well as production and consumption.<\/p>\n The dashboard highlights 15 regions across Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Sweden, which currently boast the lowest pollution levels.<\/p>\n\n