Tag: air quality

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik has scolded European countries for their inaction on EU laws to combat air pollution,  which causes an estimated 420,000 premature deaths yearly in the Union.

Tough new sulphur limits for shipping fuel will be phased in across EU waters as part of European Union efforts to free the air of toxic chemicals that shorten thousands of lives.

With Olympic athletes facing some of Europe’s worst nitrogen pollution, environmental lawyers are preparing to ask Britain’s highest civil court to force the government to comply with EU air quality standards.

Hydrogen vehicles are nimble, quiet and easy on the environment, and auto manufacturers are eyeing a commercial launch within a few years despite a lack of infrastructure for refuelling stations.

With seven months to go before the London Olympics, the British government has admitted in court that it violated European Union air quality laws by missing deadlines to address high levels of urban pollution.

Dan wears a clear plastic bubble over his head so fellow partygoers don't have to breathe his cigarette smoke, one of the most readily identifiable spoilers of indoor air.

In the UK, air pollution is the biggest public health risk after smoking, causing up to 50,000 premature deaths every year, says Simon Birkett, founder of Clean Air London, a campaign group.

When the European Commission began pressing for a dramatic expansion in the use of biofuels in transport and energy several years ago, it was seen as a win-win situation: a way to help farmers, create energy security, cut greenhouse emissions and improve air quality. But even that last claim is no longer taken for granted.

After having embraced carbon trading to fight climate change, the European Commission is now eyeing an EU-wide trading scheme for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to improve air quality.

Despite marked improvements since 1990, emissions from cars and trucks continue to be the main source of health-damaging air pollutants, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Following an agreement with the Council, Parliament voted by a large majority on 11 December in favour of air quality legislation that sets new limits on fine particle pollution in the EU.

In preparation for November plenary votes, the Parliament's Environment Committee debated proposals to improve EU soil and air quality on 11 September. MEPs' opinions differed considerably on acceptable air pollution levels and on the strictness of soil improvement rules.

The strategy aims to extend clean air laws into new sectors - agriculture and transport - that were not covered before, targeting five main pollutants including fine-dust particles which are most harmful to human health. It is expected to cost the EU some €7.1 billion every year but the anticipated benefits in terms of reduced sickness and mortality will be fivefold, the Commission claims.

EU lawmakers look set to clash over the ambient air quality directive next year after the Council took an opposite view from the Parliament's. The proposal is linked to future emissions standards for cars (Euro 5) to be agreed in November.

The European Parliament has allowed member states more time and flexibility on meeting clean-air standards, bringing concern to the Commission and environmental groups.

Policy-makers stressed the role of urban communities in improving air quality at a debate taking place in the context of Green Week 2006.

The strategy will cost Europe some €7.1 billion every year, down from the €12 billion initially proposed by Environment Commissioner Dimas. But the health benefits alone will be fivefold, he said.

Concerned about the increasing effects of environmental pollution on people's health, the Commission adopted a European strategy for Environment and Health in June 2003. One year on, it presented an Action Plan which focuses on the most vulnerable groups, particularly children. Environmental NGOs and the European green party heavily criticised it for being too weak on legislative proposals and focusing only on research.

On 13 March 2002, the European Parliament voted on the proposed programme for "Clean Air for Europe" (CAFE). The rapporteur's opinion was accepted without any problems.

Council and Parliament reach agreement on two complementary EU air quality directives