New EU Air Law Already Tripped Up by 46% of Cities, Report Says

A new report from ClientEarth and the World Resources Institute finds that 181 of 394 EU cities analyzed, or 46%, exceeded the bloc's new air pollution limits. The findings rely on validated 2024 data, the report says. The EU's Ambient Air Quality Directive entered into force in December 2024 and sets stricter pollution limits that member states must meet by 2030.

ClientEarth lawyer Emma Bud said the new rules are a once-in-a-generation chance to protect Europeans from toxic air, but the numbers are alarming. She pointed to transport as a major fix, arguing cities need to reduce their dependence on cars. Urban authorities can lead on many of these policies, she added, but they need strong support to protect children and other vulnerable people.

Meeting the standards will be especially hard for PM2.5, the tiny particles linked to serious health risks. The report says governments must tackle root causes across transport, agriculture, energy and urban planning, not just tweak local rules. That means stronger collaboration between local, regional and national officials, plus business and industry sectors. Authorities will also need to implement measures laid out in the AAQD to get into compliance.

WRI's Steven Bland, strategic lead for City Systems Europe, said air pollution remains a major public health and economic risk in European cities, made worse by heatwaves. He said progress requires tackling major emitting sectors, embedding air quality into investment frameworks, and coordinated action from all levels of government. The EU, he added, can show that cleaner air is an investment in people and a more resilient economy.

The report also uses case studies from across Europe to show how backing city leaders can help cut urban air pollution. Its full title is New clean air standards for Europe: Implications for cities. With the 2030 deadline approaching, the report's central message is that cities cannot clean up their air alone.