In recent years, nearly all of Spain and much of Europe have faced air that frequently misses World Health Organization guidelines. This concern has been stressed by the European Environment Agency and echoed by national air quality assessments. Ecologists in Action has published annual reports in Spain for more than a decade, highlighting the persistent challenges in achieving clean air.
The latest global estimates on the health impact of air pollution from the EEA and WHO are alarming. In 2019, premature deaths linked to poor air quality in Europe reached about 400,000. About 373,000 were attributable to PM 2.5 exposure, with roughly 48,000 to NO2 exposure and another 19,000 to tropospheric ozone. In Spain, the year saw approximately 30,000 premature deaths attributed to air pollution, including around 23,300 from PM 2.5, 6,250 from NO2, and 1,820 from ozone. These figures reflect a troubling rise from estimates two decades earlier. The toll on health and well-being remains a central concern for policymakers and communities alike.
Traffic is identified as a primary driver of urban air pollution, with other significant contributions coming from residential heating, maritime and aerial transport in coastal cities, and industrial activities. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels in transportation and industry is a major factor underpinning poor air quality and related environmental problems, including climate change. This reality is coupled with ongoing regional variations in emissions and exposure that policymakers continue to address.
The economic implications are substantial. The World Bank estimated in 2013 that premature mortality and lost productivity due to air pollution and indoor pollution amounted to about 38,000 million euros, representing roughly 3.5 percent of Spain’s GDP for that year. The costs extend across health care, labor markets, and ecosystem services, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of air quality on national economies and daily life.
The COVID-19 crisis that began in March 2020 disrupted mobility patterns worldwide. Quarantine measures and social distancing restrictions, enacted by authorities to contain the virus, led to notable reductions in emissions in Spain during 2020 and 2021. The degree to which these reductions reflect lasting structural changes versus temporary coincidences remains a topic of analysis for researchers and authorities alike.
Quality improvements in 2021
In 2021, Spain continued the downward trend in air pollutants observed in 2020. NO2 and SO2 levels showed meaningful declines, and tropospheric ozone concentrations, along with PM10 and PM2.5, reached their lowest readings in the last decade. These improvements suggest a positive response to policy measures and changes in transport and energy use, though the pace and uniformity across regions vary.
Experts point to vehicle emissions as the central contributor to urban air pollution. In many cities, other sources such as home heating, port and airport activities, and regional industry also play roles, albeit to a lesser extent. The ongoing transition away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner energy sources is framed as essential to sustaining air quality gains and mitigating broader environmental challenges like climate change.
Chalked up as possible contributors to local pollution are certain industrial activities, including coal and gas-fired plants, refineries, and waste incineration facilities. Other significant sources include international maritime and air transport, in addition to regional energy production practices. The report highlights the need for continued action across sectors and levels of government to curb emissions and protect air quality.
Official data for the report were compiled from a network of 793 measuring stations distributed across Spain, encompassing regional authorities, municipal networks, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges, port authorities, and major airports managed by a national operator. The compilation reflects a collaborative effort among multiple administrations and agencies to monitor and report on air quality.
Ecologists in Action acknowledges the efforts of these agencies and the organizations that operate air quality surveillance networks. The aim is to inform ongoing discussion about the country’s energy model and the air people breathe each day. The organization hopes the report contributes to a broader, informed dialogue about policies and practical measures needed to improve air quality and public health.
The full report is available as a marked citation: Ecologists in Action, 2021, with data drawn from the national monitoring network and regional authorities. The work reflects ongoing collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities to understand air quality and to drive improvements.
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