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Barcelona Records Lowest NO₂ Levels Yet Still Falls Short of 2030 Targets

Closing the gap with tighter 2030 air quality thresholds will require fast-tracking low-emission zones paired with sustainable transport policies.

La estación de medición del Eixample, en Urgell con València.
Vistas de la ciudad de Barcelona con el aire denso.
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Overview

  • Barcelona met current EU limits and achieved historical lows in NO₂ emissions in 2024, with a further 2–14 % drop across its seven monitoring stations in the first half of 2025.
  • In the Eixample district NO₂ concentrations fell from 42 µg/m³ in 2022 to 30 µg/m³ in the first half of 2025, marking its lowest recorded average.
  • Particulate matter levels (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅) have remained stagnant since 2013 and exceed the stricter thresholds set for 2030.
  • Harmful health impacts from air pollution have declined by 32 % compared with 2018–2019 but prolonged exposure still contributes to significant mortality and respiratory illnesses.
  • The municipal government plans to accelerate low-emission zones, expand green infrastructure and boost sustainable transport to meet forthcoming clean air standards.