EuChemS attends the 7th Zero Pollution Stakeholder Conference

EuChemS participated in the 7th Zero Pollution Stakeholder Conference on 3 March 2025, where the European Commission presented the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook 2025 report.

This document, jointly published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA), serves as a biennial assessment of the EU’s progress in achieving its zero-pollution targets.

The Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook 2025 Report

Pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges, threatening ecosystems, economic stability, and public health. The European Green Deal (EGD) and its Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP) have reinforced the EU’s regulatory efforts to curb pollution and move towards more sustainable practices.

The Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report, now in its second edition, offers a detailed assessment of the EU’s progress in pollution reduction. This comprehensive analysis highlights both achievements and ongoing challenges, shedding light on the primary sources of pollution and their environmental and societal impacts. While improvements have been made, particularly in air quality and reducing pesticide and antimicrobial use, sectors such as agriculture, transport, and waste management continue to pose significant risks. Additionally, Europe’s high levels of resource consumption contribute to unsustainable pollution levels, not only within the EU but also in countries that supply imported goods. These findings emphasise the urgency of strengthening circular economy initiatives, ensuring stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and advancing waste prevention strategies.

Challenges and areas for improvement

Despite some positive developments, progress toward zero pollution remains uneven across different targets. While reductions in air pollution-related health impacts are on track, the EU is struggling to meet objectives related to noise pollution and nutrient loss reduction. Ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions continue to degrade ecosystems, making it unlikely that the 25% pollution reduction target for air pollution impacts on nature will be met. Similarly, while pesticide risk reduction has been reported, inconsistencies in the measurement methodology suggest the need for more precise indicators. Plastic pollution, particularly marine litter, is showing signs of improvement, yet microplastics remain a challenge due to gaps in monitoring and regulation.

The success of the zero pollution agenda will largely depend on the full implementation of environmental laws, such as the Industrial Emissions Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the Nature Restoration Regulation. Moving forward, aligning pollution reduction policies with industrial innovation, sustainability efforts, and social equity will be essential to ensure a fair and effective transition toward a cleaner and healthier Europe.

The Zero Pollution Monitoring Dashboard

In addition to legislative measures, the European Commission has developed new digital tools, such as the Zero Pollution Monitoring Dashboard, to enhance transparency and accountability in pollution reduction efforts.

The Zero Pollution Monitoring Dashboard is an interactive digital platform designed to provide stakeholders with a real-time overview of pollution trends and environmental indicators across the EU. This tool facilitates monitoring efforts by tracking key variables such as air pollution levels, industrial emissions, urban wastewater discharge, and ecosystem health. By allowing for comparisons between different regions and assessing progress against EU-wide targets, the dashboard serves as an essential resource for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.