Air Quality in Germany

Germany presents a fascinating case study in the global pursuit of clean air. Once synonymous with industrial emissions and urban smog, the nation has made remarkable strides over recent decades. Significant investments in renewable energy, strict EU emissions regulations, and a powerful Energiewende (energy transition) policy have driven substantial improvements. Concentrations of key pollutants like sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have fallen dramatically, showcasing the impact of determined policy and technological innovation.

The future of air quality policy in Germany faces significant new challenges, chief among them being the prospective adoption of the WHO’s stricter guidelines into national law. Meeting these standards will require tackling persistent and emerging issues. Notably, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) hotspots in urban areas, primarily from road traffic, remain a concern—a situation that has fueled public debate, led to landmark court rulings, and prompted Umweltzonen (low-emission zones) in over 50 cities. Furthermore, regulating PM₂.₅ increasingly involves addressing non-traffic sources. This includes ammonia (NH₃) emissions from agriculture—a major precursor for secondary particulates—as well as emissions from residential heating, presenting a complex new frontier for control measures.

This Special Issue will be dedicated to a multidimensional examination of air quality in Germany. We invite original research, reviews, and case studies on, but not limited to, the following themes:

1. Policy and Governance: Analyses of EU directive implementation, the effectiveness of Umweltzonen (low-emission zones), legal rulings (e.g., diesel driving bans), and the interplay between federal (Bund) and state (Länder) policies within the framework of the Energiewende (energy transition) and Verkehrswende (mobility transition).
2. Science, Emissions, and Technology: Source apportionment studies and emissions from road traffic (including real-world driving emissions), shipping, agriculture (ammonia), and residential heating (wood combustion). Innovations in monitoring (sensor networks, remote sensing) and pollution control technologies for industry and transport.
3. Health, Equity, and Economic Impact: Epidemiological studies on exposure–health relationships; assessments of environmental justice and exposure disparities across socioeconomic groups; and economic analyses of health costs and benefits of clean air policies.
4. Regional Perspectives and Urban Solutions: Comparative case studies of cities (e.g., Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich); transformation narratives of industrial regions (e.g., Ruhr area); and analyses of challenges in rural versus urban settings.
5. Future Challenges and Synergies: The air quality implications of climate change (e.g., ozone formation), the meteorological influences on air quality, the co-benefits of climate neutrality strategies, and the role of digitalization and smart city concepts in future air quality management.

Prof. Dr. Klaus Schäfer
Dr. Lars Hoffmann
Guest Editors

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