ISDE, pollution in EU improves but situation remains critical

egalite_gimbe_report_private_health_spending

GIMBE Report: Private Health Spending Grows, But 40% Is Useless

23 February 2025

Peace is not a utopia: it is a political choice

10 March 2025

Published by Marta Strinati on 6 March 2025

Pollution in the EU, progress

EU policies have so far achieved some progress:

– have contributed to reduce air pollution as well as, at least in part, to mitigate the use of pesticides and the disposal of plastic waste in the sea

- the air quality has improved with a slight decrease, according to ISDE Italia,? of premature deaths linked to pollution

– legislative measures have been adopted, such as the review of directives on industrial emissions, air quality, wastewater treatment and waste management.

The new regulation on restoration of nature It will also help to further reduce pollution pressures on ecosystems and increase the overall resilience of ecosystems.

Persistent challenges

The challenge is still arduous, however, underlines ISDE, which in Italy has recently published its new 'Position Paper on Air Pollution'. As experienced by a large part of the European population, pollution levels remain high, particularly for harmful noise, microplastics, nutrient pollution (e.g. ammonia and nitrogen oxides) and production of waste.

However, noise pollution in urban areas and nutrient losses from agricultural runoff remain critical problems. Waste generation also continues to increase, requiring further reduction efforts.

The necessary actions

More actions are necessary and urgent to reduce pollution. For example, we should

– integrate zero pollution principles into all policies and promote the circular economy to reduce resource consumption;

– strengthen the implementation and enforcement of existing environmental legislation;

– adopt specific measures, such as the Regulation on the prevention of losses of plastic pellets, to combat microplastic pollution.

The impact of pollution on health and the environment

Pollution – in its various forms – contributes to premature deaths e Health problems, with inequalities in exposure (lower socioeconomic groups and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly are more affected).

'These pollution-related deaths and illnesses are all largely preventable by reducing pollution levels in the environment and should be considered as part of future preventive health measures in Europe. Pollution is also one of the top five threats to biodiversity', comments ISDE.

15 EU regions ahead

The levels of various forms of pollution are monitored through the Zero Pollution Dashboard, which compares EU regions' progress on air, water and land.

Le best conditions, in terms of lowest pollution levels, have been achieved in 15 regions in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden.

Zero Pollution Action Plan

To achieve a clean and healthy planet, the Zero Pollution Action Plan with key objectives to accelerate pollution reduction.

As part of the Plan, the Commission has launched nine flagship initiatives and 33 dedicated actions to prevent and reduce pollution, including in particular the Zero Pollution package for cleaner air and water by 2050.

Step up efforts

Despite progress, the EU needs to step up efforts to reach zero pollution targets by 2030. Pollution reduction is not only will improve public health and will protect ecosystems, but will also support the transition towards a more sustainable and competitive economy.

Marta Strinati