In a remarkable environmental success story, the Czech Republic has seen a substantial improvement in air quality throughout 2023, continuing a positive trend that began in 2020. According to experts from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), this progress can be attributed to a combination of milder winter conditions and significant changes in industrial practices, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as steel and iron production.
Data analysis reveals that concentrations of all air pollutants, with the exception of ground-level ozone, have been “statistically significantly decreasing” since 2013. Moreover, since 2020, these concentrations have become “significantly lower” than in previous periods. Last year marked a historic milestone as concentrations of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and benzo[a]pyrene reached their lowest levels in a decade.
In an unprecedented achievement, 2023 became the first year on record where none of the emission limits for suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5 were exceeded at any measuring station. This breakthrough underscores the effectiveness of recent environmental policies and industrial reforms.
The reduction in emissions was partly due to a milder winter, resulting in a shorter heating season. However, the most significant improvements came from industrial sources. Meteorologists noted, “An even greater percentage reduction occurred in industrial sources, partly due to a decline in production of energy and emission-intensive commodities.” This includes decreased production of steel, iron, and cement. Additionally, lower numbers of pigs and poultry in farming contributed to a reduction in ammonia emissions
Despite these improvements, challenges remain. The region encompassing Ostrava, Karviná, and Frýdek-Místek continues to struggle with air quality issues, influenced by heavy industry and cross-border pollution from neighboring Poland. This area, along with adjacent parts of Poland, remains “one of the most polluted European regions in terms of particulate matter and benzo[a]pyrene.”
Looking ahead, further reductions in air pollutants are anticipated. These expectations are based on the ban of old boilers and the ongoing transition to low-emission or zero-emission vehicles in the automotive fleet.