Europe air quality faces risks from extreme weather and pollution

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) 2025 report highlights the dangerous link between extreme weather events and air pollution in Europe. While long-term emissions are declining, acute pollution episodes remain frequent due to factors like heat, drought, and stagnant air.

Key incidents noted in 2025 include a PM2.5 spike in February driven by increased residential heating in Eastern Europe, a significant Saharan dust intrusion in March—which accounted for approximately 80% of PM10 in Valletta, Malta—and high ozone levels during August heatwaves. Additionally, wildfires in the Iberian Peninsula contributed significantly to pollution, with smoke accounting for roughly 39% of PM2.5 concentrations in Madrid on certain days.

In response to these environmental challenges, the fifth edition of Festambiente Verona, organized by Legambiente, will take place in Italy from September 11 to 13, 2026. Titled ‘Smog Generation’, the festival will focus on air quality issues, particularly in the Po Valley, one of Europe’s most polluted regions.