The recent report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), Environmental Noise in Europe 2025, highlights the serious impact of transport-related noise on public health across Europe. Over 110 million people, or more than 20% of the European population, are exposed to high levels of transport noise that exceed thresholds set under EU reporting rules. This exposure is linked to a range of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, mental illness, diabetes, and premature death. The report also emphasises the vulnerability of children, with noise exposure contributing to reading impairments, behavioural problems, and obesity.
The impacts on health also have economic repercussions. The EEA estimates that noise pollution from transport sources alone results in an annual economic loss of EUR 95.6 billion, approximately 0.6% of the EU’s GDP. Road traffic is identified as the dominant source of noise pollution, affecting around 92 million people across the EU. However, railway and aircraft noise, while impacting fewer people, continue to contribute significantly to local noise pollution, particularly near major transport corridors.
The impact of noise extends beyond humans – it also significantly affects nature. Noise pollution disrupts wildlife, both on land and in the sea, and is a major concern in Europe’s protected Natura 2000 areas. The EEA report points out that at least 29% of these areas experience noise levels that could alter the behaviour of wildlife, affecting their communication, reproduction, and migration patterns.
These findings point to a pressing need for more comprehensive action across the EU to address the growing public health crisis caused by noise exposure.
Cities: at the heart of the noise pollution challenge
The Eurocities Noise in Cities report complements the EEA report highlighting the critical role that cities play in managing noise pollution. Urban areas are particularly affected due to high concentrations of human activity, transportation, and infrastructure. The Eurocities report stresses that urban areas are disproportionately affected by noise from road transport.
Despite the growing evidence of the health risks associated with noise, political attention on noise pollution remains low, making it difficult for cities to secure the necessary funding and political support for noise reduction measures. This lack of attention is compounded by challenges such as the recent changes in the EU’s noise calculation methodology, which prevent cities from comparing new noise data with previous datasets.
In light of the ongoing challenges, the Eurocities Noise in Cities report outlines a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the noise pollution crisis in urban areas.
These include:
- A call for legally binding noise reduction targets at the Member State level, in line with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aims to reduce the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030. Without binding targets, cities struggle to gain political support and funding for noise reduction policies.
- A request to the European Commission to urgently provide cities with updated guidance on interpreting noise data, following the new EU noise calculation methodology. This would enable cities to compare data across different periods and better target noise reduction measures.
- An appeal for increased funding to support noise reduction initiatives. This includes investments in quieter transportation systems, better road surface designs, and the construction of green noise barriers.
Cities designing positive urban soundscapes
Despite the challenges, many cities across Europe are already taking significant steps to reduce noise pollution and improve their residents’ quality of life. These initiatives, highlighted in the Eurocities Noise in Cities report, showcase how innovative measures can create quieter, more peaceful urban environments.
In Antwerp, for example, the city is working on multiple solutions to mitigate the noise from a heavy traffic road running close to one of its urban parks. From classic solutions, such as changing the road surface and installing noise barriers, to innovative ones like using landscape design and the park’s topography to direct people towards quieter spots and building fountains to mask the disruptive sound of the nearby road. By incorporating sound into the design of public spaces, Antwerp has successfully created a haven for residents to escape the urban hustle, proving that soundscaping can be an effective and community-driven solution.
Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, tackling the problem of loud vehicles has been at the heart of the city’s strategy. The city introduced an innovative ‘noise smiley’ system, which displays messages on roadside screens alerting drivers when they are generating excessive noise. This system not only raises awareness among drivers but also serves as a tool for encouraging quieter driving habits. Building on this success, Rotterdam is exploring the possibility of introducing noise flash cameras that could automatically issue fines to those who violate noise regulations, further enhancing enforcement. This project demonstrates how technology can play a pivotal role in reducing noise levels in urban settings.
The City of Florence has partnered with the LIFE E-VIA project to explore the potential of quieter road surfaces, particularly for electric vehicles. The pilot project has shown that by using noise-optimised road surfaces and specific tyres for electric vehicles, traffic noise can be significantly reduced. This is particularly important as cities continue the transition towards more sustainable transport solutions.
Lisbon has also taken a proactive approach to reducing noise, particularly from its vibrant nightlife. In the heart of the city, bars, clubs, and restaurants are now required to install sound limiters, which are connected to an online monitoring platform that ensures compliance with noise limits. This system allows the city’s authorities to track noise levels in real-time and act quickly when necessary.
These examples reflect a growing recognition of the need to design cities with sound in mind. By adopting such measures, these cities are addressing noise pollution and enhancing the overall urban experience, making their environments more pleasant to live in for residents and visitors alike.
The path forward: integrating noise management into urban planning
Both the Eurocities and EEA reports stress the importance of integrating noise management into urban planning. The Eurocities report highlights the growing trend of cities considering the broader urban soundscape, moving beyond noise reduction to enhance the overall acoustic environment. This involves designing streets and public spaces with sound in mind, including the use of green spaces and water features to create quieter, more pleasant environments.
To achieve significant progress in reducing noise pollution, cities require better coordination with national and regional authorities, as well as a more robust commitment from the European Commission. The Eurocities Noise in Cities report calls for urgent action to ensure that cities have the tools, resources, and political backing to address the harmful effects of noise on health and well-being.
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Read the full Noise in Cities report.
The Noise in Cities report is the result of the work of the Eurocities Working Group on Noise.
Does your city want to get more involved in discussing and sharing challenges and solutions for noise pollution in cities? Become a member of Eurocities and ask to join the Working Group on Noise.
