Eutrophication caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe (Indicator)

Key message: Between 2005 and 2022, the total area where nitrogen deposition exceeded the critical loads for eutrophication fell by 13%.

The atmospheric deposition of nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems can cause harmful eutrophication in freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats, disrupting ecosystems and leading to changes in species diversity. The main sources of this nitrogen are combustion processes which release nitrogen oxides and ammonia emissions from agriculture.

The National Emissions reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) sets emission reduction goals for 2020-2029 for each EU Member State and more ambitious targets for 2030. This directive will help to meet zero-pollution targets, particularly in reducing premature deaths from air pollution by 55% and reducing the number of EU ecosystems impacted by air pollution by 25%.

The baseline scenario of the European Commission’s Third Clean Air Outlook (EC, 2022) — which assumes no additional measures beyond those policies currently in place or adopted predicts only a 20% reduction in affected ecosystems by 2030 compared to 2005. While this represents progress, it falls short of the 25% reduction goal for all affected areas, which would then still represent 983,500km².

Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.

Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target or policy objectives

Reduce by 25% the EU ecosystems where air pollution threatens biodiversity.

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Ecosystems

Zero pollution monitoring assessment

Unlikely: The implementation of well-established measures addressing ammonia emissions (reflected in the EU’s NEC Directive either as compulsory or voluntary measures), the Farm to Fork strategy and the Biodiversity strategy for 2030 will further reduce nitrogen deposition and the area at risk of eutrophication. Modelling carried out for the Third Clean Air Outlook used the optimal set of measures to reach this target, with more efficient management and application of manure from cattle, pigs and poultry and of mineral fertilisers, all of which reduce ammonia emissions.

Other relevant indicators and signals

Exposure of Europe’s ecosystems to ozone (Indicator)

Emissions of ozone precursors — NOx NMVOCs and methane (Indicator)

Heavy metal emissions in Europe (Indicator)

References and footnotes

EC, 2022, Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions The Third Clean Air Outlook (COM(2022) 673 final).
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