On 10 December 2024, the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) entered into force.

The Directive is an important milestone in achieving the European Union’s zero pollution ambition, namely the reduction of air pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to humans and the environment by 2050.

As well as merging and updating the two previous ambient air quality directives, the revision brings 2030 EU air quality standards closer to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Air Quality Guidelines. This represents an important breakthrough in the improvement of public health.

More than 300,000 premature deaths are attributed to air pollution in the EU each year, with short- and long-term exposure increasing the risk of developmental delay, cardiovascular disease, strokes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

Based on the European Commission’s impact assessment, the AAQD will lead to a 55% reduction in premature deaths and gross annual health, economic and environmental benefits of up to €121 billion.

EU Member States have until 11 December 2026 to transpose the AAQD into national law and are required to meet updated air quality standards by 2030.

The European Commission will adopt implementing acts to complement the new rules and assist with their application.

The below resource summarises the AAQD and outlines the measures that must be taken by EU Member States to ensure adherence to its provisions.