REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The Fourth Clean Air Outlook

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 3.3.2025 COM(2025) 64 final REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The Fourth Clean Air Outlook EN EN The Fourth Clean Air Outlook 1. INTRODUCTION Air pollution in the EU has decreased over the last decades as a result of EU clean air legislation and joint action taken by the EU and national, regional and local authorities. Emissions of the five main air pollutants have fallen significantly between 2005-2024. And yet air quality remains a serious concern for the health of European citizens, especially in urban areas where pollution levels remain above WHO guideline levels1, and for the state of ecosystems. The EU’s approach to improving air quality involves taking action in three areas (or ‘pillars’). The first is on ambient air quality standards set in the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive2. The second is to set national emission reduction obligations under the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive)3 for the main transboundary air pollutants4. The third is to set emission standards at EU level, laid down in legislation, for key sources of pollution from vehicle and ship emissions to energy and industry, as well as ecodesign requirements for boilers and stoves. Most emissions from agricultural activities, however, are not regulated. The EU has stepped up action under all three...