Jordan Rises to 49th Globally in Environmental Performance Index
Al-Taj News – The results of monitoring conducted by the Ministry of Environment on air quality for the period extending from the beginning of the year through the end of August this year, compared with the same period last year, showed that the vast majority of monitored gaseous pollutants recorded levels within the limits approved under the Jordanian Technical Standard for Ambient Air Quality No. (2024/1140) during both periods, with overall stability in air quality when comparing the two periods, coinciding with an improvement in Jordan’s global ranking in the Environmental Performance Index.
According to a statement issued by the ministry on Sunday, the results showed that the main gaseous pollutants, foremost among them nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), maintained levels within the limits approved under the technical standard at most monitoring stations, except for limited instances of exceedances that were mainly associated with some areas with industrial activity, reflecting the effectiveness of environmental monitoring and follow-up measures and continued compliance with environmental requirements.
The results of measuring dust and suspended particulate matter in the air, measured in the form of fine suspended particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10) and those with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), indicated that the Kingdom continues to be affected by natural dust originating from desert areas and dust and sandstorms, which affect the Kingdom at various times as part of seasonal patterns associated with the recurrence of natural dust episodes in the region.
In line with Environmental Protection Law No. (6) of 2017, the Ministry of Environment measures and monitors air quality in the Kingdom’s governorates around the clock, in accordance with national and international air quality measurement requirements, through the national air quality network, which consists of 29 fixed stations distributed across the governorates, to ensure that the quality of the air inhaled by citizens falls within the standards and specifications, including the Jordanian Technical Standard for Ambient Air Quality No. (2024/1140), in addition to providing a body of information that forms a scientific basis for decision-making.
The ministry affirmed that it would continue monitoring air quality through the national monitoring network, as well as continuing to monitor and oversee industrial hotspots, with the aim of ensuring continued improvement, addressing any local sources of pollutants, and maintaining air quality within the approved limits.
This coincides with the notable improvement in Jordan’s ranking in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) in the field of air quality, as the Kingdom’s ranking rose from 81st globally in 2024 to 49th globally in 2026, in line with the notable improvement in air quality indicators at the national level.
