Progress towards the achievement of the EU's air quality and emissions objectives

After completion of the analyses that informed the negotiations on the revised national emission ceilings directive (NECD), important factors have changed. Improved emission inventories, the recent climate and energy policies of the European Union and new source‐oriented emission control regulations have profound implications on further actions to meet the emission reduction requirements of the NECD. Considering the interplay of this new information, this report presents an updated outlook for emissions and air quality in the European Union, and explores the prospects of achieving the WHO guideline values to protect human health and the Union’s long‐term environmental policy objectives on the protection of ecosystems. It is found that, broadly speaking, by 2030 the recent legislation will bring the WHO guidelines for PM2.5 within reach for most areas, while further efforts, especially for agricultural ammonia emissions and PM emissions from residential combustion of solid fuels will be required at hot spots.