ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF AIR POLLUTION MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED EU COUNTRIES

This study explores the economic dimensions of air pollution management within the broader context of sustainable development, focusing on a comparative analysis of six European Union member states – Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Romania. Drawing on data from the World Development Indicators, the analysis brings together four interrelated dimensions: exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon intensity of GDP, patterns of economic growth and convergence, and mortality associated with household and ambient air pollution. The results reveal that, although reductions in carbon intensity represent an important component of environmental progress, they do not automatically translate into proportional improvements in air quality or public health outcomes. This finding suggests that aggregate efficiency gains must be complemented by targeted, sector-specific interventions addressing the main sources of particulate emissions. Building on these insights, the study develops a conceptual cluster framework that captures distinct development–pollution–health trajectories across countries. The analysis highlights the need for differentiated, context-sensitive policy approaches that align economic modernization with air quality management and public health objectives. By integrating economic, environmental and health dimensions, the paper offers a more nuanced perspective on the challenges of sustainable air pollution management in heterogeneous European settings.