Brussels, 3 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The European Union is set to miss several of its own 2030 pollution reduction targets, as a report published on Monday by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) shows.

Despite progress in reducing air pollution, pesticide use and plastic waste at sea, "much stronger action is necessary" to reach targets set for reducing noise, microplastic releases into the environment, nutrient pollution and waste generation, a press release said.

"European citizens want clean air, water and soil and safe chemicals so that their health and their environment are protected," said EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall.

"Only timely and ambitious delivery of our policies will allow us to create a better living environment for all," she added.

The share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise is to be reduced by 30% by 2030 according to the EU's goals, however, a 2% reduction has been achieved since 2017.

Residual municipal waste is to be halved, has dropped by 1.5% since 2018.

The release of microplastics into the environment has risen by about 7% to 9% since 2016, instead of going down by 30% by 2030.

"Action to curb consumption and to reduce waste – which are the ultimate drivers of environmental pressures – and to promote a circular economy are crucial if we are to make progress towards our goals," said Leena Ylä-Mononen, the EEA's executive director.

The 2030 targets are part of the EU's ambition to reduce pollution so that it no longer poses a risk to human health and the environment by 2050.

MIA file photo