How is science shaping EU action to reduce pollution?

With the right measures in place, the concentration of macroplastics on EU coasts could be reduced by 42% in the next five years. European soils contain an alarming amount of harmful metal residues, but dedicated policies are expected to reduce them.

These are some of the assessments made in the latest edition of the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook, which was presented today. The report, issued by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Environmental Agency (EEA), shows the current state of pollution in the EU and evaluates progress towards the Zero Pollution Action Plan objectives for 2030.

The JRC provided methodologies and tools to assess pollution in some key areas of the report.

Footprint of EU consumption

Throughout their lifecycle, consumer products use a lot of resources and generate significant pollution. Our lifestyle has a heavy impact on the environment, both in the EU and in other world regions that are part of the global supply chain.

The JRC has developed mathematical models to understand and quantify the environmental impacts of EU consumption, covering food, mobility, housing, household goods, and appliances. The Domestic Footprint looks at the environmental impact within the EU, while the Consumption Footprint also accounts for the impacts on the countries of origin of imported goods. The data are publicly available on the Consumption Footprint Platform.

According to these models, current EU consumption is not sustainable for the planet. Food consumption is the main contributor to the problem, accounting for 57% of the total consumption footprint. However, the outlook for 2030 suggests that the EU could significantly reduce its environmental footprint by accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

EU Consumption Footprint 2010-2022, total and by pollution-related domain

Soil pollution in the EU

Human activities have a significant impact on soil: industrial operations release contaminants such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, while agriculture adds to the problem through the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics. These activities harm soil health and fertility, reducing biodiversity and agricultural yield.

Soil pollution in the EU is assessed by the JRC-led EU Soil Observatory (EUSO). Researchers periodically collect thousands of soil samples from across Europe to analyse their properties, sharing the data on the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) to help policymakers and stakeholders understand soil conditions and manage soil responsibly.

Currently, harmful metals are prevalent throughout European soils, with some areas exceeding safe levels for human health. Moreover, 75% of agricultural soils contain pesticide residues. The outlook presents challenges, but also highlights positive trends: lead concentrations have already dropped thanks to dedicated policies; cadmium levels are expected to fall off due to the EU Fertiliser Regulation; mercury levels are also expected to decrease.

Aggregated average cadmium concentration (mg kg−1) at regional level. No data available for Croatia

Marine pollution along EU coastlines

Marine pollution is a global concern and has adverse effects on the health of our seas. It may also present a threat to human health and have a serious impact on social and economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries.

The JRC has helped develop standards for monitoring coastline litter and assessing anomalies. EU Member States now monitor their national coastlines using this consistent approach, which allowed the JRC to make a comprehensive analysis of the situation: the European Coastline Macro Litter Trends report. This analysis helps EU Member States define intermediate targets towards Zero Pollution, based on evidence and trends.

EU policies and regional efforts are proving effective: the data show an overall 29% decrease in litter on EU coasts compared to 2015-2016, with significant reductions in single-use plastics (40%), fishery-related items (20%), and plastic bags (20%). The outlook suggests that, with full implementation of future policies and efficient waste management, the concentration of macroplastics on EU coasts could be cut by 42% by 2030. However, many areas show a very high litter concentration that could only be reduced with additional efforts.

Air pollution in the EU

Regulatory measures and emission reductions have led to a significant drop (45% since 2005) in premature deaths linked to poor air quality. However, the number of pollution-related deaths remains high, at over 250,000 annually, and ecosystems continue to suffer from the impact of ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions. The findings of the fourth Clean Air Outlook report reinforce these concerns.

To tackle the issue of poor air quality in European cities, the JRC publishes its Urban PM2.5 Atlas that provides insights into the spatial and sectoral contributions to air pollution in 700 urban areas across Europe, revealing that targeted local actions can significantly improve air quality.