Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Uppsala and Umeå have the cleanest air in Europe

Uppsala and Umeå have good air quality in Europe, according to the latest rankings. Sweden has a good reputation, but we have also had problems, says Johan Genberg on Nature Conservation.

» Updated: 19 September 2024, 13:29

» Published: 29 August 2024

Uppsala and Umeå have the cleanest air in Europe
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

The Swedish cities fare well in the EEA's latest report on air quality in European cities.

Uppsala and Umeå top the list – closely followed by Portuguese Faro – while Norrköping (7) and Stockholm (11) also rank high.

Gothenburg falls slightly lower (19) and Malmö even further from the top (41).

The levels rise rapidly as you approach the continent, so Malmö usually ranks a bit higher. But at the same time, the levels have dropped very sharply in just the past few years, says Johan Genberg Safont, administrator at the air unit of the Environmental Protection Agency.

High mortality rates

The basis for the ranking is measurements of very small particles that are easily transported in the air, taken in 2022 and 2023.

According to an earlier report from the EEA, the levels of these small particles have indeed decreased over the past 20 years. However, in 2021, it was estimated that 253,000 people in the EU died due to air pollution caused by these particles.

In the EEA's latest ranking, only 13 of the 375 examined cities meet the limit value set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the health-hazardous particles.

"Can do more"

This shows that there is more to be done, despite the positive Swedish figures, notes Johan Genberg Safont.

International cooperation is very important. But we can do more in Sweden as well, he says.

Even if we can't affect our levels that much, even the small reduction we can make is very important.

Uppsala has the cleanest air in Europe, according to the European Environment Agency's (EEA) ranking of European cities.

Here are the top 10 of the 375 examined cities.

  1. Uppsala, 2) Umeå, 3) Faro (Portugal), 4) Reykjavik (Iceland), 5) Oulu (Finland), 6) Tampere (Finland), 7) Norrköping, 8) Funchal (Portugal), 9) Tallinn (Estonia), 10) Narva (Estonia).

Other Swedish cities examined:

  1. Stockholm, 19) Gothenburg, 41) Malmö.

The worst air quality according to the examination is found in the cities of Slavonski Brod (Croatia), Nowy Sacz (Poland), and Cremona (Italy).

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Dropped investigation against Jomshof for hate crime
1 MIN READ

Dropped investigation against Jomshof for hate crime

The Government Extends Border Control
1 MIN READ

The Government Extends Border Control

Suspicions of Terrorism Against Swedes to be Tried in Copenhagen
2 MIN READ

Suspicions of Terrorism Against Swedes to be Tried in Copenhagen

Two students stabbed at school in Hallsberg
2 MIN READ

Two students stabbed at school in Hallsberg

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud
2 MIN READ

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark
2 MIN READ

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support
2 MIN READ

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support

Suspects Released After School Operation
1 MIN READ

Suspects Released After School Operation

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims
1 MIN READ

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"
2 MIN READ

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"

Criminal got job as social worker
1 MIN READ

Criminal got job as social worker

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås
1 MIN READ

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors
1 MIN READ

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht
1 MIN READ

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study
1 MIN READ

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed
1 MIN READ

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan
1 MIN READ

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan

"Almost Certain" – 2024 the Warmest Year
2 MIN READ

"Almost Certain" – 2024 the Warmest Year

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump
2 MIN READ

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"
3 MIN READ

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"