The European Council on Thursday adopted a new directive to reduce air pollution which aims to reduce health risks and environmental impact of air pollution.

The Council said in a statement that with this directive, the number of premature deaths due to air pollution in the European Union (EU) is estimated to be cut by about 50 percent in 2030, compared to 2005.

The rules cover emissions of five pollutants -- sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particulate matter.

According to the statement, the directive sets ceilings for each country of the maximum emissions allowed per year.

The limits for each pollutant that will apply each year from 2020 to 2029 are identical to those to which the member states are already committed in the revised Gothenburg protocol.

The directive would enter into force on Dec. 31 of 2016.