More effort will be needed to ensure that Ireland meets the stricter air quality standards set for 2030 under the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.
The EPA made the call in the Air Quality in Ireland 2024 report, which is based on data from 115 monitoring stations across Ireland. As the report found, while Ireland currently meets EU air quality standards, the country faces challenges in meeting end-of-decade targets.
Zero Pollution Action Plan
The Ambient Air Quality Directive forms part of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aims to reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55% by 2030.
As the EPA noted, Ireland is currently projected to achieve 93% compliance with the fine particulate matter standard (PM2.5) and 78% compliance with nitrogen dioxide limits, and also continues to fall ‘well short’ of more stringent World Health Organization (WHO) health-based 2040 guidelines for several key pollutants.
Solid fuel burning and traffic emissions are the primary sources of air pollution in Ireland, the report found, with the European Environment Agency estimating that approximately 1,700 premature deaths occur each year in Ireland as a result of poor air quality.
‘Healthier air and healthier lives’
“Many of us have grown up with the comfort of an open fire and limited alternatives to travelling by car—but these familiar habits contribute to poor air quality,” commented Pat Byrne, director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring. “Supporting people to shift towards cleaner heating and more sustainable travel isn’t about giving something up—it’s about gaining healthier air and healthier lives.”
According to the EPA, air pollution is not confined to cities, with towns and villages also affected. The EPA provides hourly updates on air quality and a three-day forecast through its website, airquality.ie.
“Ireland is facing considerable challenges in its efforts to meet the more stringent air quality standards set for 2030, as well as the World Health Organization targets for 2040,” added Roni Hawe, EPA programme manager for environmental monitoring and surveillance.
“Achieving these goals will require a decisive shift away from solid fuel burning, alongside the adoption of electric vehicles, efforts to reduce traffic and encouraging the use of public transport.” Read more here.
