Implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directive

The Ambient Air Quality Directive sets thresholds for certain pollutants in ambient air to protect human health and the environment. Thresholds for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are exceeded in several Member States. This study analyses air pollution hotspots in Europe and infringement procedures launched by the European Commission against Member States in non-compliance.

In addition, four hotspots are studied in more detail with respect to pollutant levels and approaches to air quality improvement. This study is provided by Policy Department A at the request of the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee.

External author: Christian Nagl, Jürgen Schneider and Pia Thielen

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/

European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, April 2016: Implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directive http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/578986/IPOL_STU(2016)578986_EN.pdf

EUObserver, 25.05.16: European pioneers battle air pollution in the courts https://euobserver.com/environment/133547

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