De toekomst van het EU-beleid inzake schone lucht in het kader van de ambitie om alle verontreiniging tot nul terug te dringen
Opinion factsheet
Op deze pagina
- Milieu
- Luchtkwaliteit
- Bestrijding van verontreiniging
- Klimaatverandering en Energie
- Europese Green Deal
Opinion number:
CDR-0540-2020
Status:
Goedgekeurd
Objective
Main objective:
The outlook request of the European Commission asked to provide an outlook opinion on the future of EU clean air policy in the framework of the Zero pollution ambition, drawing on the Committee's unique understanding of governance at regional and local level.
It requested a contribution from the local and regional perspective for the preparation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil in the framework of the Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment. The action plan is expected to be published in Q2 2021.
The Zero pollution ambition is one of the main environmental priorities of the Green Deal, consequently a general objective of the opinion is to provide a contribution in the wider framework of the CoR work on the Green Deal and in relation with connected policies.
Specific objectives:
Contribute to EU legislation: the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) and especially the Ambient Air Quality directives, from a local and regional perspective.
More specifically the following aspects related to the Ambient Air Quality directives were requested to feature prominently by the European Commission:
Potential further harmonization of monitoring, information provisions and air quality plans and measures.
Improvement of reporting on air quality data.
Enforcement, penalties and problems in cross-border implementation.
Access to justice for civil society.
Highlight the important connection between air quality and health.
Improve funding systems for LRAs to improve air quality.
Improve implementation of air policy in the framework of a system of multi-level governance.
Promote public engagement and awareness raising.
Highlight the importance of networks and initiatives.
The outlook request of the European Commission asked to provide an outlook opinion on the future of EU clean air policy in the framework of the Zero pollution ambition, drawing on the Committee's unique understanding of governance at regional and local level.
It requested a contribution from the local and regional perspective for the preparation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil in the framework of the Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment. The action plan is expected to be published in Q2 2021.
The Zero pollution ambition is one of the main environmental priorities of the Green Deal, consequently a general objective of the opinion is to provide a contribution in the wider framework of the CoR work on the Green Deal and in relation with connected policies.
Specific objectives:
Contribute to EU legislation: the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) and especially the Ambient Air Quality directives, from a local and regional perspective.
More specifically the following aspects related to the Ambient Air Quality directives were requested to feature prominently by the European Commission:
Potential further harmonization of monitoring, information provisions and air quality plans and measures.
Improvement of reporting on air quality data.
Enforcement, penalties and problems in cross-border implementation.
Access to justice for civil society.
Highlight the important connection between air quality and health.
Improve funding systems for LRAs to improve air quality.
Improve implementation of air policy in the framework of a system of multi-level governance.
Promote public engagement and awareness raising.
Highlight the importance of networks and initiatives.
Impact
The Outlook opinion was aimed in particular at contributing to the Zero-pollution action plan for air, water and soil. The European Commission plans to publish the action plan in the second trimester of 2021. Subsequently the Green Week 2021 will be focused on the topic of zero pollution.
Therefore, the impact of the Outlook opinion will be assessed on the basis of the action plan and of the specific proposals that it will include.
The CoR rapporteur has been invited for a short intervention at the meeting of the ENVI committee of the European Parliament during which the draft report on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality directives will be presented. The impact of the Outlook opinion might also be assessed also on the basis of the final report that the Parliament will approve.
Therefore, the impact of the Outlook opinion will be assessed on the basis of the action plan and of the specific proposals that it will include.
The CoR rapporteur has been invited for a short intervention at the meeting of the ENVI committee of the European Parliament during which the draft report on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality directives will be presented. The impact of the Outlook opinion might also be assessed also on the basis of the final report that the Parliament will approve.
Essential points
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- notes that air pollution is still the largest environmental health risk in the EU, responsible for nearly 500 000 premature deaths each year. Air pollution is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, strokes and cancer. It also has significant adverse effects on the climate, ecosystems, the built environment – including cultural heritage – and the economy;
- points to the importance of including the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in future policies. On the one hand, there is a possible link between air pollution and the gravity of the consequences of infection with the COVID-19 virus; therefore fighting air pollution must be amongst the top priorities of the EU recovery plan. On the other hand, significantly reduced traffic, industrial production and other activities during curfews resulted in significantly less air and noise pollution. Citizens could see more clearly that a healthier environment, less traffic, more open public spaces and nature-based solutions are essential for their well-being. There is strong support for this historic opportunity to build something better;
- supports the European Commission's announcement to propose to more closely align air quality standards to the WHO guidelines, which are currently being revised but draws its attention to the following considerations. Taking into account the high number of Member States that do not meet current standards, it is appropriate to provide for further assistance for implementation where necessary and appropriate and strictly monitored compliance timeframes. The CoR considers emissions rules to be a particularly effective approach, and recommends therefore that more attention be paid to tightening them; at the same time, the CoR welcomes that some Member States, regions or cities can and do already apply stricter limit values on their own initiative if they so wish;
- emphasises the need to focus more on emissions regulation as a better way of achieving clean air by reducing emissions at source (pollution prevention). The NEC directive sets ambitious reduction commitments for the Member States, but EU-wide sectoral regulations are also needed. EU legislation can ensure a more level playing-field, as stricter local emissions reduction requirements may have adverse economic effects. EU legislation should also prevent pollution being shifted to another location.