ZAGREB, 2 March (Hina) – Data from the 2026 Emissions Report of the Ministry of Environmental Protection confirm that Croatia has almost halved emissions of key air pollutants since 1990, while also warning that meeting more ambitious targets for 2030 will be challenging in certain sectors.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition prepared the 2026 Informative Report on the Inventory of Air Pollutant Emissions, covering the period from 1990 to 2024, in line with Croatia’s obligations.
The document is central to monitoring progress in reducing air pollution and planning further measures.
The long-term downward trend is primarily the result of regulatory measures, technological progress and alignment with European standards.
Croatia is compliant with emission reduction commitments for 2020–2029. However, stricter targets coming into force from 2030 mark a new and more demanding phase, particularly in agriculture, household heating and transport, requiring targeted sectoral policies.
The greatest progress has been made in the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions, which in 2024 totalled 4.6 kilotonnes — 92 per cent lower than in 2005 and more than 97 per cent lower than in 1990 –largely due to reduced sulphur content in fuels, a shift to gas and flue-gas desulphurisation in power plants.
Nitrogen oxides emissions stood at 43.2 kilotonnes in 2024, 43 per cent lower than in 2005, reflecting stricter European emission standards and fleet renewal.
Nevertheless, road transport remains the single largest source, and achieving a 57 per cent reduction by 2030 will be difficult due to the slow pace of vehicle electrification, rising numbers of vehicles and mileage, and the relatively high share of older diesel cars.
Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) fell to 44.9 kilotonnes — 51 per cent below 2005 levels –В largely owing to regulation in the solvents sector, industrial processes and fuel storage. Further reductions will require tighter control of smaller, diffuse sources that are harder to monitor.
Ammonia emissions amounted to 26.0 kilotonnes, 38 per cent less than in 2005.
More than 90 per cent originates from agriculture. While Croatia is compliant with targets up to 2029, the post-2030 reduction requirement of 25 per cent will be technically and structurally demanding, as it depends on investment in modern fertiliser storage and application systems and changes in farming practices. Agriculture is therefore considered one of the highest-risk sectors in meeting future targets.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions totalled 24.2 kilotonnes –В 44 per cent lower than in 2005 –В but the pace of reduction has been slower, as the main source remains the combustion of wood biomass in households, alongside contributions from transport and construction. The Ministry warns that the 55 per cent reduction target will pose a serious challenge unless the replacement of old stoves is accelerated and cleaner heating systems adopted.
In addition to conventional pollutants, the report records significant reductions in heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants: lead emissions have fallen by 98 per cent, mercury by 76 per cent, cadmium by 36 per cent, dioxins and furans by 74 per cent, and hexachlorobenzene by more than 95 per cent.
