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Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) Adopted by the European Parliament. Clean Air Revolution on the Way?

The day of April 24th, 2024, will go down in history as a game-changing date for every institution or individual fighting for a cleaner air. It marks a date when the European Parliament approved a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD). Table of Contents Main assumptions of the AAQD Directive Current air quality […]

The day of April 24th, 2024, will go down in history as a game-changing date for every institution or individual fighting for a cleaner air. It marks a date when the European Parliament approved a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).

Table of Contents

Main assumptions of the AAQD Directive

  • The Ambient Air Quality Directive introduces stricter limits on harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide NO2), aiming to achieve zero pollution by 2050.
  • These new regulations align with the strict norms imposed by the World Health Organization.

All Member States are obliged to introduce new regulations by 2030. However, the directive allows for flexibility in compliance deadlines, permitting delays until 2035 or 2040 under specific circumstances, such as challenges related to transboundary movement of pollutants or the replacement of harmful or polluting heating systems in households.

Current air quality standards

The AAQD Directive aims to close the gap between European and WHO standards. Here’s a comparison of the current annual norms valid for the European Union and WHO:

type of pollutant EU WHO
PM2.5 10 µg/m3 5 µg/m3
PM10 40µg/m3 15µg/m3
NO2 20µg/m3 10µg/m3
SO2 125µg/m3 40µg/m3

Why is the AAQD directive so crucial and ground-breaking?

Air pollution is undeniably deadly: according to data provided by the World Health Organization, it leads to 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide.

Furthermore, the situation in Europe is particularly alarming. In 2020 alone, at least 230,000 people died prematurely in Europe due to polluted air, primarily from exposure to particulate matter PM2.5. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), 96% of European urban citizens were exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter PM2.5 exceeding the WHO recommended standard.

Frequent exposure to air pollutants can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

At Airly, and for all those dedicated to combatting air pollution, the announcement of the AAQD Directive update marks a significant milestone and brings us closer to realising our vision of a society committed to cleaner air. Through innovations like our air quality monitoring app, mapping tools, and smart sensors, we’re empowering local authorities to safeguard the well-being of their communities. Together, we strive to foster a culture of conscious and mindful living among residents – comments Mateusz Koczwara, Business Development Sales Manager at Airly.

How to get ready for changes and start caring for clean air?

Local authorities

Fighting air pollution is one of the greatest challenges in today’s world. Local authorities can take proactive steps toward building smart cities and cleaner air:

  1. Implement ongoing urban air quality monitoring through initiatives such as installing air quality sensors and utilising open-access maps or apps for real-time updates.
  2. Prioritise the health of vulnerable citizens, especially the youngest, by installing smart sensors like those provided by Airly, which track air quality and provide weather forecasts.
  3. Establish low emission zones.
  4. Engage in close cooperation with local communities to educate and raise awareness about the risks of poor air exposure.

Citizens

Citizens can actively contribute to the fight for cleaner air by adopting a conscious approach:

  • Choose eco-friendly heating systems and products, such as cleaning supplies and transportation options.
  • Purchase air purifiers for indoor environments.
  • Utilise apps that monitor current air quality for informed decision-making.

What comes next?

Following these initiatives, the next steps involve the adoption and enforcement of new regulations by the European Council. Once published in the Official Journal of the EU, these regulations will come into force 20 days later. Member States will then have two years to enforce the new legislation.

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