Industrial Emissions in Europe:
Zero Pollution by 2050

European Commission, DG Environment

Dangerous emissions

Industry and livestock farming are necessary to produce goods and food. But large-scale operations can pollute the air, water and soil, damaging our health and the environment.

They are responsible for emitting pollutants, such as:

  • Fine dust that can enter our lungs and bloodstream causing illness and death (Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5)
  • Gasses that threaten plant life, human life, and nature (Nitrogen oxides, or NOx)
  • Chemicals and metals that are harmful to crops, wildlife and humans (Sulphur oxides, heavy metals, ammonia and other substances known as NMVOC)
  • Greenhouse gases which cause climate change and reduce air quality
  • Run-off and waste that affect the quality of water and soil (Nitrates and other substances)

These are some of the worst pollutants, that can have a huge impact on human health and the environment.

Sources of emissions

Energy industries
5%

Waste industries
20%

Animal rearing and food processing
46%

Heavy industry and manufacturing
27%

Other activities
2%

The IED, fighting pollution since 2007

The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is the European law that aims to prevent harmful industrial pollution.

Companies must use the best available techniques (BAT) for preventing or minimising their emissions and impacts on the environment.

The rules already cover 30.000 large industrial sites and 20.000 intensive livestock farms

By 2017, they had reduced their air pollution by up to 75% under the IED rules.

But pollution is still damaging our health and the environment, costing billions of euros and causing hundreds of thousands of early deaths each year.

This is why, from 2024, the EU is bringing in a stronger IED. "IED 2.0" gives more rights to citizens, covers more industrial and agricultural activities, promotes more efficient use of resources and encourages innovation. The updated law reaches far into the future.

Putting people first

For the first time, citizens may seek compensation for damages to their health caused by illegal pollution, under EU environmental law.

Governments must now always consider human health protection when setting and applying rules on emissions.

In line with the Aarhus Convention, citizens will now have more rights to information, better access to justice, and more opportunities to take part in setting and applying rules.

All permits and all data (which is reported annually) must be made publicly available online (European Industrial Emissions Portal).

Authorities will have more powers to shut down installations that do not follow the rules, and to demand bigger fines from offenders.

Promoting innovation and transformation

The IED 2.0 encourages companies to develop and invest in new technologies.

It will help innovative companies and make the market fairer for those who invest in cleaning up their production processes:

Following IED norms helps companies to attract investors and get citizens to accept projects such as metals mining and large batterr factories.

Companies must make transformation plans that describe how they will be producing less carbon, pollution and waste.

Tighter rules on emissions

Permits will force companies to become more efficient - to use less energy and water - and to use fewer toxic chemicals.

Companies must now use the best techniques and reduce their emissions by as much as technically possible.

Who do these rules apply to?

IED 2.0 applies to those who emit the most in Europe: : industrial plants and intensive pig and poultry farms.

The new rules will now apply to mining and large battery factories. They will also now apply to more than 1/3 of large pig and poultry farms in the EU. These farms are responsible for around 30% of ammonia emissions.

Farms will receive help to apply the rules: they will benefit from a lighter permitting regime and may receive more funds from the Common Agricultural Policy.

The new rules include the adoption of best available techniques for waste landfills.

When will the new rules apply?

  • The new rules will gradually be put in place between now and 2030
  • Work has begun on the new best available techniques
  • Industrial operators will have four years to implement these techniques, starting in 2028
  • The rules will apply to farmers starting in 2030

The IED 2.0 will...

Reduce emissions of key air pollutants by up to 40% by 2050

  • Guide the transformation needed to make Europe's economy cleaner, carbon neutral, less wasteful, and more competitive
  • Streamline and simplify permits across the EU and harmonise compliance checks
  • Help the EU become less dependent on imported raw materials
  • Allow environmental rules to be set together with industry, farmers, governments and non-profits

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