Citizens may be compensated for health damages if the states do not comply with the regulations, according to the provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council, still to be ratified. 

The European Parliament and Council, representing EU member states, have reached a provisional agreement to improve air quality and reduce the significant number of premature deaths linked to air pollution, which is estimated to be up to 300,000 per year. The agreement, which still needs to be ratified, sets more ambitious goals for 2030, aiming for zero pollution by 2050 and significantly reducing the limits of the most harmful substances, especially fine particles. The new directive paves the way for a future Europe where pollution is a thing of the past and clean air is the norm. It imposes stricter limits for various pollutants by 2030 and will reduce the annual limits for PM2.5 and NO2, the pollutants with the most documented impact on human health. The European Parliament highlighted that the new rules will impose more sample collection points to measure air quality in cities. The standards will be reviewed before December 31, 2030, and at least every five years thereafter. Member states can request a derogation of up to ten years to comply with the new standards under specific conditions, but this flexibility comes with safeguards to ensure states commitment to improving air quality. The new rules also open the door for legal action, with both affected citizens and environmental NGOs able to go to court to demand the implementation of the new directive by states. The directive will be accompanied by an annex proposing specific policies to help reduce air pollution in cities, such as pedestrianization of streets, low emission zones, and vehicle electrification. The use of public transport and alternative vehicles like bicycles will also be promoted.