Phasing out fossil fuels and investing in renewables will contribute to reducing particulate matter (PM 2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxides (NO2), which can cause respiratory diseases
Residential heating emissions can be reduced by insulating buildings, installing efficient boilers, and using clean energy sources for district heating. More information can be found in the Clean Air Tech Hub report on development and greater uptake of cleaner solid fuel household heating solutions, as well as in a report on ‘Increasing policy coherence between bioenergy and clean air policies and measures’ (full report | summary report | policy measures database).
Transport
More than 40 % of nitrogen oxide emissions across Europe come from road traffic, particularly in urban areas and along busy streets. Diesel cars are among its main sources.
Traffic emissions can be reduced by:
Management of traffic and parking spaces, speed limits and low-emission zones
Switching to clean public transport, walking and biking
Agriculture
More than 90% of ammonia emissions to air in the EU come from agriculture: 75% from manure and 20% from inorganic fertiliser.
This leads to eutrophication and acidification of ecosystems, and to harmful particulate matter.
Agricultural emissions can be reduced by:
Closed manure storage and more precise application of manure and fertilisers
Improved livestock feeding strategies
Industrie
Over 30,000 industrial installations in the EU account for:
- 50% of total emissions to air of sulphur oxides and other harmful substances
- 30% of nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter air emissions
Industrial emissions can be reduced by:
Making the switch to clean energy sources, and using technology to destroy pollutants at the source
Opting for non-toxic materials to produce goods