What does “good air“ mean? How can we improve it? How are ecosystems being protected against air pollutants and what has it got to do with climate? The German Environment Agency provides information about these and other topics related to our most vital lifeline – air. Our website provides information on how air quality has changed and which pollutants are harmful to our health. We identify polluters and the appropriate measures to take.
Air pollution control measures are paying off: In 2025, Germany once again complied with all limit values under the European air quality directives. For particulate matter, this marks the eighth consecutive year; for nitrogen dioxide, the second. However, the average exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was higher than in previous years.
How good is the air we breathe? The German Environment Agency’s new Air Quality Index will provide answers based on the latest scientific findings. The index assesses concentrations of air pollutants, evaluates the associated health risks, and offers guidance for the general public as well as vulnerable groups.
Air pollution control measures are proving effective. In Germany, 2024 is the first year in which all limit values set by the European Air Quality Directive have been met. This is the seventh consecutive year that particulate matter levels have remained within the prescribed limits.
The German Environment Agency's (UBA) Environmental Monitor 2024 once again presents a mixed picture of the state of the environment in Germany. While there have been successes in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, many indicators show a clear need for action.
The Hesse State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) investigated the emission of ultrafine particles (UFP) and the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators to reduce fine dust emissions from a wood-burning stove.
A total of around 750 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent was emitted in Germany in 2022. This is 9.6 million tonnes or 1.3 per cent less than in 2021 and 40 per cent less than in 1990.
The German Environment Agency has commissioned a project to study the effects of discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) of ships on the marine environment. Scrubber discharge contains pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are classified as extremely hazardous. Discharge bans - at least regional - are recommended.
Germany recorded no exceedances of particulate matter threshold values in 2022 for the fifth consecutive year. Current data shows that the annual mean limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) of 40 µg/m³ was exceeded at only two roadside measuring stations in Munich and Essen. These are the results of a preliminary evaluation of data collected by the federal states and the German Environment Agency.
Ecosystems such as forests, heaths and surface waters are more sensitive to atmospheric nitrogen pollution than previously thought, according to a report under the Geneva Air Convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (CCE).
Germany again had no exceedances of the particulate matter limit values in 2021. The 40 µg/m³ annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is estimated to be exceeded at only one to two percent of the measuring stations close to traffic. More action necessary to protect health.
The 2020 data for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are available for all air monitoring stations in Germany. Six cities exceeded the air quality limit of 40 micrograms NO₂ per cubic metre of air (µg/m³) as an annual average.
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless, water soluble gas with a pungent smell. It is produced from combustion of fossil fuels, for example coal and oil.
