Measures to increase the use of public transport, the electrification of vehicle fleets, backing for more sustainable vehicles and the Low Emission Zone have helped to improve air quality. All the stations which record data, for traffic or otherwise, registered levels which were either lower or unchanged compared to the previous year.

Historical data

The monitoring station for L’Eixample recorded an average of 33 µg/m³ of NO₂, the lowest figure on record. In contrast, the figure in 2012 was 61 µg/m³. As for the provisional data on PM10 particles, automatic monitoring systems also indicate a drop compared to 2023, with figures within the limits established by current regulations.

Towards a more sustainable city

The air-quality evaluation report compiled annually by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) already recorded the best results in 2023 since records began and, with the exception of the years when Covid-19 had the biggest impact, complied with current European levels for the first time. Thanks to this downward trend, the impact on health attributed to pollution was reduced by 32% for the period 2020-2023. In fact, based on the 40 years of the Barcelona Health report, today’s city is healthier than ever, with life expectancy up by 6.6 years among women and 7.7 years among men, with figures for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases also reduced to a minimum.

Climate neutral goal by 2030

Despite the improvement, pollution continues to have an impact on people’s health, which is why the city is adopting new measures to combat pollution and keep reducing the figures recorded around monitoring stations. The focus is on 2030, when European regulations will be updated and the maximum levels set at 20 µg/m³, half the current maximum of 40 µg/m³.

The Climate Plan allows for an investment of 1,800 million euros to get the city climate neutral in 2030, with measures to consolidate a more sustainable municipal vehicle fleet, strengthen public transport, promote electric and bicycle mobility, generate more greenery and more.