Air pollution remains one of the greatest environmental threats to health in Europe and worldwide. Every year, hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in Europe are linked to poor air quality, while millions more people live with the daily impacts of polluted air on their health and wellbeing.

People living with lung conditions are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. Exposure to pollutants can worsen symptoms, increase flare-ups, reduce quality of life and lead to hospital admissions. Children, older people and people living in lower-income communities are also disproportionately affected.

In 2024, the European Parliament and the European Council agreed on a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), an important step forward in strengthening air quality standards across Europe. While the revised standards do not yet fully align with the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines, the Directive represents significant progress towards reducing exposure to harmful pollution and improving public health.

However, passing legislation is only one step. Continued political leadership, investment and implementation are essential to ensure that cleaner air becomes a reality for everyone.

The revised Directive aims to:

• strengthen EU air quality standards
• move closer to WHO Air Quality Guidelines
• improve air quality monitoring and modelling
• strengthen air quality planning
• improve public access to information
• provide clearer pathways to justice and compensation where EU air quality rules are breached

The Directive is part of the EU’s wider ambition to achieve zero pollution by 2050.

Clean air is essential for our health and well-being, yet air pollution continues to harm millions of people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that exposure to air pollution contributes to around 7 million premature deaths every year globally. In the EU, more than 180,000 premature deaths each year are attributed to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at concentrations above the WHO’s recommended levels, according to the European Environment Agency. 

Everyone has the right to breathe clean air. Improving air quality is not only about reducing pollution – it is about protecting people’s health and creating healthier communities for everyone. 

Change is possible, but it requires action. While we will continue working to ensure that the voices of communities affected by air pollution are heard by decision-makers around the world, we need your support. By raising awareness, speaking to decision-makers and advocating for stronger action, you can help make clean air a priority. 

That is why we have created these resources: to help you become a clean air advocate and take action in your community. 

An opportunity for cleaner air across Europe 

The revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive provides an important opportunity to improve air quality across Europe. It brings EU air quality standards closer to the levels recommended by the WHO and sets legally binding requirements for EU Member States to work towards meeting these standards by 2030. 

This is an important step forward – but ambitious implementation and effective action will be essential. The Directive allows for certain exemptions and delays, which could slow progress towards cleaner air. 

This is where your voice matters. 

People and communities can help ensure that the ambition of the Directive translates into real improvements in the air we breathe. By calling on decision-makers to adopt and implement ambitious measures, you can help push for healthier air in your country and community. 

Your voice can make a difference 

There are many ways you can take action: 

• Contact your local and national decision-makers and ask them to support ambitious measures to reduce air pollution and protect public health. 

• Raise awareness of the health impacts of air pollution among your family, friends and community. 

• Use social media to share reliable information and encourage others to take action. 

• Share your experiences and concerns about air pollution and why clean air matters to you and your community. 

• Use the resources on this page to support your advocacy and help amplify the call for clean air. 

Become a clean air advocate

Below, you will find information about how air pollution affects lung health, as well as practical tools and resources to help you advocate for cleaner air. 

Please use them, share them and encourage others to take action. 

Organisations are also welcome to use these materials, adapt them for their own audiences and share them through their networks.