Quicker pollution laws implementation needed, says new report

A review of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan concludes that Member States must act swiftly and decisively if the EU is to reach its pollution reduction targets by 2030.

The report highlights the strong connection between environmental protection and public health, showing that cutting air, water, soil and noise pollution delivers immediate health benefits, such as reductions in asthma, heart disease, and mental illness. Pollution prevention is therefore not only an environmental priority but also a crucial public health policy.

The report also emphasises the economic and social benefits of pollution reduction measures. Businesses, cities and regions are taking the lead to reap benefits such as increased productivity and improved agricultural yields.

Companies and regions that invest in green technologies are able to dominate emerging, high-growth markets. Hundreds of European cities have pledged to reduce their pollution footprint, and 80% of companies now integrate sustainability into innovation strategies.

“Europe has some of the world’s most ambitious laws to tackle pollution and they are already delivering real benefits for people’s health and our economy. But we need to act decisively for all Europeans.”

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy

The Zero Pollution Action Plan guides EU policy and action on pollution reduction, setting targets to reduce the effects of pollution on human health. Much of the legislation foreseen under the action plan is now in place.

The EU has strengthened all its key pollution laws since 2021, and developed a strategy on Water Resilience, an Ocean Pact, a Vision for Agriculture and Food, and a Chemicals Industry Action Plan.

However, the report stresses that legislation alone is not enough. Effective enforcement and implementation are essential for reaching the 2030 targets. EU countries must continue to invest in innovation, digitalisation, and skill development. Other policy areas, such as energy, transport, and agriculture, must address environmental concerns more effectively.

Progress towards the zero pollution targets is encouraging for air pollution, pesticide use, antimicrobial sales and plastic pollution at sea, which have been significantly reduced. However, pollution of waters, waste, and microplastics pollution are either stable or worsening.

PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ pollution is an area of growing public concern, and the report outlines some actions being taken, noting the Commission study on the societal costs of PFAS.

The report also raises concern about noise pollution. It concludes that the EU is not on track to meet its target of reducing the number of people affected by transport noise by 30% by 2030.

The Commission continues to strengthen rules to fight sources of noise pollution, such as reducing noise emissions from vehicles, trains or aircraft, and seeks to improve the implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive. The Commission will also assess possible improvements to the Directive.

The report was presented at the 8^th meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholders Platform co-organised with the Committee of the Regions.

Background

The EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan for 2050 aims to reduce air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems, that respect the boundaries with which our planet can cope, thereby creating a toxic-free environment.

The mid-term review of the plan was foreseen to identify whether further action is needed to address emerging concerns and review the targets, flagships and actions.

The EU aims to strengthen green, digital and economic leadership, whilst creating a healthier, socially fairer Europe and planet. The Action Plan provides a compass to mainstream pollution prevention in all relevant EU policies, to step up implementation of the relevant EU legislation and to identify possible gaps.

The second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook, published in March 2025, provided a scientific snapshot of the current state of pollution in the EU, pollution trends over the past years, and future scenarios for the evolution of these trends if agreed policies are successfully implemented. It provided the evidence, based on the latest data and information, for the preparation of the mid -term review. It concluded that pollution continues to pose a significant threat to ecosystems, the economy and public health.

Notable progress has been made in several areas, including air quality and reductions in pesticide and antimicrobial use. Nevertheless, agriculture, transport and waste remain important sources of pollution.