On October 14, 2024, the European Union adopted a new directive aimed at improving air quality, despite ongoing challenges in several member states. While significant progress has been made in reducing atmospheric pollutants, France continues to face regulatory exceedances in air quality standards that affect public health.
In the period from 2000 to 2023, France reported a 64% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx), and a decrease of 49% and 56% in particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively). Additionally, sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels dropped by 87%. However, average annual ozone (O3) levels have increased, with two national pollution episodes recorded in June and September 2023.
Despite the overall improvement in air quality, the report highlighted that exceedances of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM10 standards were observed in major urban areas, particularly in Paris and Lyon. The frequency of these exceedances has significantly decreased since 2018.
In other regions, air quality has been impacted by natural phenomena, including Saharan dust affecting the Caribbean and French Guiana. The Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, acknowledged the ongoing public health challenges associated with air quality in France.