Saturday, 04 October 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said more must be done to protect clean air in towns, villages, and cities across Ireland, particularly as the country faces tighter EU air pollution limits coming into force by 2030. While current air quality in Ireland meets existing EU legal requirements, the EPA’s latest Air Quality in Ireland […]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said more must be done to protect clean air in towns, villages, and cities across Ireland, particularly as the country faces tighter EU air pollution limits coming into force by 2030.
While current air quality in Ireland meets existing EU legal requirements, the EPA’s latest Air Quality in Ireland 2024 report warns that achieving compliance with new European standards will be difficult without significant changes to how homes are heated and how people travel.
The European Union adopted a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive in October 2023. The new law, which must be transposed into Irish law by the end of 2025, aims to bring EU air quality standards closer in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, which are significantly more stringent than current EU rules.
By 2030, Ireland will be expected to meet tighter limits on several pollutants, including ultrafine particles and black carbon, both of which are not currently regulated under existing EU legislation.
The EPA report estimates that around 1,700 premature deaths occur annually in Ireland due to poor air quality. In response, the revised EU directive seeks to reduce pollution-related premature deaths across Europe by 55% by 2030.
EPA monitoring, conducted through its network of 115 air quality stations nationwide, shows that Ireland is on course to meet only 93% of the proposed 2030 targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and just 78% compliance for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
While Ireland generally reports good air quality relative to many European countries, its reliance on solid fuel heating in rural areas and private car usage creates challenges unique among its peers. In contrast, countries like Sweden and the Netherlands have achieved greater reductions in air pollutants through early investment in district heating, urban cycling infrastructure, and electrified public transport.
These comparisons underscore that Ireland’s current shortfalls, particularly in nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, are not insurmountable but will require policy shifts and public buy-in at a national level.
The report identifies the two main contributors to poor air quality in Ireland as:
Burning of solid fuels in homes, particularly in open fires.
Emissions from road traffic, especially in urban areas.
These sources account for much of the particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide measured across the country.
One of the lesser-discussed hurdles to improving air quality is the economic cost of transition. For example:
Many households rely on solid fuels due to cost or availability, especially in areas with limited access to gas or renewable heating systems.
Electric vehicles remain financially inaccessible for lower-income households, despite growing adoption.
To meet 2030 targets equitably, policymakers will need to design programs that support just transitions, including subsidies, targeted outreach, and affordable alternatives for vulnerable groups.
To meet the upcoming standards, the EPA is calling for a decisive shift away from solid fuel heating and toward cleaner transport solutions, including electric vehicles, reduced traffic volumes, and greater public transport use.
Pat Byrne, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said:
“Supporting people to shift towards cleaner heating and more sustainable travel isn’t about giving something up. It is about gaining healthier air and healthier lives.”
Meeting the 2030 air quality standards isn’t just a challenge, it’s also an opportunity. Ireland has the chance to become a leader in:
Green heating technologies, like heat pumps and bio-based systems
Electric mobility infrastructure
Data-driven environmental management
Investing now in clean-tech startups, research partnerships, and green jobs not only supports compliance with air quality laws but also strengthens Ireland’s economy and environmental resilience in the long term.
The EPA’s latest report makes clear that while Ireland’s air quality currently meets existing legal standards, the country faces a significant challenge in aligning with the far stricter limits set to come into force by 2030. With air pollution already contributing to approximately 1,700 premature deaths annually, the urgency is clear. Achieving compliance will require bold policy decisions and widespread behavioural change, particularly in how homes are heated and how people travel. As the EU moves toward tighter environmental protections, Ireland must act now to ensure cleaner air, healthier communities, and a sustainable future for all.
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