The EU and its Member States monitor the presence of different types of pollution in the environment, their impacts, the amounts entering the environment and the sources from which the pollution originates. This evidence is used to establish the most effective actions to be taken.
The zero pollution monitoring and outlook framework, as part of the wider monitoring under the environment action programme, aims to monitor all types of pollution for air, water and soil.
It includes past and current pollution levels (monitoring), and predicts, through modelling systems, possible sources of pollution and future trends (outlook).
The second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook 2025 is the latest report published in March 2025. It is complemented by:
- the European Environmental Agency's Zero Pollution Monitoring Dashboard
- the 4th Clean Air Outlook
- “Towards zero pollution in regions and capital cities” an online tool presenting data on pollution across Europe.
- How science is shaping EU action to reduce pollution, The EU Knowledge Hub for Water, and the EU Soil Observatory and Data Centre
1. Reduce by more than 55 % the health impacts (premature deaths) of air pollution
Target: 55% reduction
- 62% to - 69%
On track
Outlook 2030: Likely reduction since 2005 based on a number of proposed measures
Second Report and 4th Clean Air Outlook
2. Reduce by 30 % the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise
Target: 30% reduction
-2%
Downward trend
Monitoring 2024: Slight decrease between baseline data for 2017and 2022 data.
- 2% to -23%
Off track
Outlook 2030: Likely reduction since 2017 based on a number of proposed measures
3. Reduce by 25 % the EU ecosystems where air pollution threatens biodiversity
Target: reduce by 25 %
- 13%
Downward trend
Monitoring 2024: Reduction until now (data from 2022) since 2005
Zero pollution dashboard
- 20%
Unlikely on track
Outlook 2030: Likely reduction since 2005 based on a number of proposed measures
4th Clean Air Outlook
4a. Reduce nutrient losses by 50 %
Target: 50% reduction
0%
Stable trend
Monitoring 2024: Baseline data available for 2012-15 only, estimated trend based on past data
Zero pollution dashboardReduction but insufficient
Unlikely on track
Outlook 2030: Updated projections taking account latest set of agreed measures
Knowledge for Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan
4b. Reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50 %
Target: 50% reduction
- 46%
Downward trend
Monitoring 2024: Reduction until now (data from 2022) since 2015-2017, recalculation of baseline, corrected reduction with data from 2022: 27%
Zero pollution dashboard and SANTE – Farm-to-ForkReduction
On track
Outlook 2030: No quantitative assessment carried out, based on extrapolation of past trends and expert judgement. Also note that indicator has shortcomings. See other indicators on pesticides: Zero pollution dashboard
4c. Reduce the use of the more hazardous chemical pesticides by 50 %
Target: 50% reduction
- 25%
Stable trend
Monitoring 2024: Reduction until now (data from 2022) since 2015-2017
Zero pollution dashboard and SANTE – Farm-to-Fork
Reduction
Likely on track
Outlook 2030: No quantitative assessment carried out, based on extrapolation of past trends and expert judgement. Also note that indicator has shortcomings. See other indicators on pesticides: Zero pollution dashboard
4d. Reduce the sale of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 50 %
Target: 50% reduction
- 28%
Downward trend
Monitoring 2024: Reduction until now (data from 2022) since 2018
Reduction
Likely on track
Outlook 2030: No quantitative assessment carried out, based on extrapolation of past trends and expert judgement.
5a. Reduce plastic litter at sea by 50 %
Target: 50% reduction
- 29%
Downward trend
Monitoring 2024: New data assessed between 2015 and 2021.
Zero pollution dashboard and JRC 2024 reportUp to - 42%
Likely on track
Outlook 2030: Updated projections taking account latest set of agreed measures, regional differences are likely.
5b. Reduce by 30 % microplastics released into the environment
+7% to +9%
Upward trend
Monitoring 2024: New data assessed between 2016-2022
Up to - 7%
Off track
Outlook 2030: Assumption that the proposed 'Pellet Regulation' (EC,2023b) is adopted without major changes and in combination with the REACH restriction. It should be noted that these estimates have a high level of uncertainty.
6a. Reduce significantly total waste generation
Target 2030: Significant reduction
- 0.5%
Stable trend
Monitoring 2024: Slight net reduction since 2010 after temporary reduction of 8% observed between 2018 and 2020
Stable
Unlikely on track
Outlook 2030: Waste generation follows changes in the EU GDP and it is therefore not expected to decrease without very ambitious prevention measures
6b. Reduce residual municipal waste by 50%
Target: 50% reduction
- 1.5%
Stable
Monitoring 2024: Reduction until now (data from 2022) since 2018
Zero pollution dashboardStable
Off track
The projected increase in municipal waste prevents the EU from achieving a 50% reduction in residual waste by 2030
Legend
- On track
The current status and past trend/models/prospects indicate that the EU is on track to meet the target by 2030
- Likely on track
The current status and past trend/models/prospects indicate that the EU is likely on track to meet the target by 2030.
- Unlikely on track
The current status and past trend/models/prospects indicate that the EU is unlikely on track to meet the target by 2030.
- Off track
The current status and past trend/models/prospects indicate that the EU is off track to meet the target by 2030.
Background
The main objectives of monitoring and outlook are to
- measure progress, identify the need for action and drive the green and digital transition
- communicate and engage civil society, businesses, academia, administrations, EU institutions and international organisations
It complements the monitoring frameworks for climate change, biodiversity and circular economy and builds on the existing monitoring and data at EU level mainly linked to the established pollution policies and laws.
The monitoring integrates the most relevant past and current data across all pollution areas available at EU level compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), as well data from other EU sources, in particular Eurostat, DG SANTE, EMSA, ECHA and EMA or projects financed under the EU research frameworks, as well as information provided by Member States.
The outlook is carried out by the Joint Research Centre summarising projections, modelling and foresight results on pollution, quantifying the effectiveness of existing and proposed policies under the European Green Deal or other policies that aim to reduce pollution with by 2030. Each part of the outlook is based on a specific set of assumptions. The 4th Clean Air Outlook has been carried out by DG Environment
Related Documents
- Second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report
- Fourth Clean Air Outlook Report (COM(2025) 64)
- Dashboards: EEA’s zero pollution dashboard and Towards zero pollution in regions and capital cities
- Previous report: First Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report (COM(2022) 674), First EEA Zero pollution monitoring assessment
- and First Zero Pollution Outlook 2022
- Zero Pollution Action Plan (COM(2021) 400)
- Towards a monitoring and outlook framework for the zero pollution ambition (SWD(2021) 141)
- Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform