The Lancet Planetary Health, June 2025

Effect of tree canopy cover on air pollution-related mortality in European cities: an integrated approach

In urban areas, fine particles (PM2·5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and tropospheric ozone (O3) are the most harmful air pollutants for human health. Urban greening is seen as a strategy for co-benefitting air quality, climate, and citizens’ wellbeing.

We aimed to estimate the changes in tree cover, the mortality burden attributable to air pollution, and the mortality that could be potentially prevented by increasing tree coverage in European cities.