Germany met all European air-quality limits for the first time in 2024, according to a preliminary data published by the German Environment Agency (UBA) on Thursday.
The data comes from around 600 measuring stations and shows that the annual average limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air has been complied with for the first time since it became binding in 2010.
UBA President Dirk Messner said this was the result of “targeted air quality measures at the EU, regional and local levels,” adding that the after-treatment of exhaust gases, the electrification of buses in public transport and speed limits had all helped to improve air quality.
However, nitrogen dioxide levels in Germany were close to the limit, with an average of exactly 40 micrograms per cubic metre measured on a busy road in the western city of Essen and 39 micrograms in the centre of Munich.
The UBA said that there is still room for improvement, as the current limits are more than 20 years old and no longer reflect scientific knowledge of the health effects of air pollution.
It referred to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has been recommending lower guideline values for years.
German Environmental Aid (DUH) criticized the presentation by the UBA, accusing it of “concealing the actual health crisis in Germany” and arguiung that the data should not hide the fact that poor air quality endangers human life.
DUH Managing Director Jürgen Resch added that air-quality limits were only met in 2024 because they are “far too weak.”
