Zero pollution monitoring & outlook 2025 report published

This monitoring and outlook assessment report is jointly published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) as bi-annual check-up on the progress of EU Member States in achieving the EU’s zero-pollution targets. This report informs future policies designed to support the zero-pollution ambition in reducing pollution to the extent that it no longer presents a risk to human health and the environment by 2050.

In great news, light pollution has been acknowledged within the Zero Pollution Framework and other EU environmental action plans for the first time! AquaPLAN and our sister project PLAN-B have also been mentioned as recognised key initiatives that are contributing to the mitigation efforts on the environmental impacts of light and noise pollution across Europe.

This is a significant step toward the EU political agenda’s increased recognition of light pollution. Nevertheless, no clear goals for reducing artificial light at night (ALAN) have been established or accepted. The origins of light pollution are not clearly stated in the report, in contrast to noise pollution. Furthermore, despite the report’s promotion of public awareness, tangible steps to lower ALAN are still urgently needed with its sharp rise throughout Europe.

Download the Report