Madrid meets European air quality standards for first time in history

'Madrid finally breathes': with these words, the city announces its impressive feat of meeting the standards of the Air Quality European Directive for the first time.

Way to go, Madrid! The City Council opens 2023 announcing some amazing news: thanks to the efforts of the capital's Environmental Sustainability Strategy Madrid 360, the data on air quality resulting from 2022 demonstrated that Madrid finally complies with the European Parliament and Council's Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.

This accomplishment comes for the first time in the city's history, which had violated the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) thresholds established in the Annual Limit Value of the directive from 2010 until 2021. In the last 3 years, 24 air quality stations were distributed throughout the municipality and have reported the lowest NO2 levels since EU regulations were applied.

A joint effort

Behind this success is nothing short of a joint effort, declares the city. Indeed, Madrid thanks its people for following the regulations and applying the measures defined by Madrid360, thereby actively leading the transition towards a more sustainable city.

'Madrid finally breathes' announces the City Council, personally thanking citizens and Madrid 360 for their efforts. Credit: Madrid 360

However, it is also thanks to the progressive measures included in Madrid360, which makes it a highly ambitious yet attainable air quality plan. To reduce polluting emissions, the capital implemented significant mobility actions such as:

• Promoting public transport and turning its bus fleet completely green;
• Progressively converting the entire city as a Low Emissions Zone;
• Integrating all means of transport through innovative measures such as mobility hubs and a MaaS app.

To find out more information, you can read the full press release here.