Germany Meets All EU Air Quality Limits for the First Time
In a significant milestone, Germany has achieved compliance with all European air quality limits for the first time in 2024, according to preliminary data from approximately 600 monitoring stations released by the German Environment Agency (UBA) on Thursday.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Levels Fall Within Limits
This positive assessment is particularly noteworthy for the annual average limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which stands at 40 micrograms per cubic meter of air. According to the UBA’s provisional data, all monitoring stations have now met this limit for the first time since its introduction in 2010.
Fine Dust Levels Remain Within Guidelines
Limits for fine dust, or particulate matter (PM), have also been consistently met for the seventh consecutive year, staying within the permissible range.
Challenges and Successes in Urban Areas
The evaluation revealed that compliance with NO2 levels was particularly close in some highly trafficked areas. On Essen’s busy Kruppstraße, the average value measured exactly 40 micrograms per cubic meter, the upper limit of the permissible range. Munich’s city center also recorded a value of 39 micrograms, just slightly below the allowed limit.
In contrast, rural areas generally recorded significantly lower NO2 levels. For instance, the monitoring station on the Schauinsland mountain in the Black Forest reported an annual average of only 1 microgram, the lowest value among all stations.
Air Quality Improvements Attributed to Collaborative Efforts
UBA President Dirk Messner emphasized that the positive development in air quality is not a matter of chance but rather the result of "targeted air pollution control measures at the EU, federal, state, and municipal levels." Measures such as exhaust gas treatment, including particle filters, have been particularly effective in improving air quality. Electrification of buses in public transportation and speed limits have also contributed to the improved air quality.
Ambitious Targets for the Future
Despite these encouraging results, the UBA acknowledges that there is still room for improvement. The current thresholds are over 20 years old and "no longer reflect the latest scientific findings on the health effects of air pollution," as the agency notes, referencing the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has long recommended significantly lower target values.
To address this, a new European Air Quality Directive came into effect in mid-December 2024, aiming to align the EU with these stricter guidelines. Starting in 2030, stricter limits and target values will become binding throughout Europe. The permissible annual average value for NO2, for example, will be reduced from 40 to 20 micrograms per cubic meter.
Germany Confident in Achieving Future Goals
Despite the more stringent requirements, the Environment Agency remains optimistic. With continued efforts, widespread compliance with all limit values in Germany can be achieved "by 2035," according to the UBA.
Conclusion
Germany’s success in meeting all EU air quality limits for the first time in 2024 is a testament to the collaborative efforts of policymakers, industry, and the public. However, the country remains committed to further improving air quality, recognizing the importance of aligning with the latest scientific recommendations for the health and well-being of its citizens.
