The Third Clean Air Outlook

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 1 December 2022, comprising the third Clean Air Outlook.

Further information:

The third edition of the Clean Air Outlook assesses the prospects of achieving the objectives of the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) for 2030 and beyond, in terms of reducing emissions of air pollutants and subsequent impacts on air quality, health, ecosystems and the economy. This analysis builds on and complements the work carried out on the impact assessment underpinning the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD).

It also incorporates the European Union's climate targets under the Fit for 55 initiative The Third Clean Air Outlook also sheds light on the implications of the current energy crisis on air quality and air pollution. The report directly contributes to the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report by analysing the prospect of achieving the two clean air related zero pollution action plan 12 targets.

Finally, and in preparation for the review of the NEC Directive, the Third Clean Air Outlook analyses several aspects that could be covered by that review. In particular, it looks at the effect on compliance of integrating a more comprehensive range of emissions that are currently not accounted for in the NEC compliance checks but that have a clear impact on air quality. This includes condensable particulate matter and certain emission sources in agriculture. The report also highlights the co-benefits of reducing methane emissions, which are both air pollutants and a potent greenhouse gas.