Air Quality
Air pollution plummets by up to 50% as virus curbs traffic, new data reveals
Pollution levels have dropped by more than 50% in parts of Europe, according to new figures published by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) on Wednesday (25 March), as coronavirus lockdown measures empty city streets of traffic.
Air pollution ‘likely’ to increase mortality from COVID19: experts
Air pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles is likely to increase mortality from the novel coronavirus in cities, public health experts told AFP Monday (16 March).
Air pollution main risk factor for mortality worldwide, says new study
Air pollution is the world's leading cause of mortality as it reduces a person's lifespan by three years on average, according to a study published on Tuesday (3 March). EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'Environment reports.
Luxembourg becomes first country to make public transport free
Luxembourg abolished fares for trains, trams and buses on Saturday (28 February) in what the government said was a bid to tackle road congestion and pollution, as well as supporting low earners.
Challenging Bulgarian coal plants’ new waste burning obsession
On Monday (March 2), a European and a Bulgarian non-governmental organisation, ClientEarth and “For Earth – Access to Justice”, are filing a complaint with the European Commission in an attempt to challenge Bulgaria’s new obsession of burning waste in coal...
EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
Jeep, Suzuki models face EU ban for breaking emissions rules
Fiat Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee and Suzuki's Vitara diesel models both break emissions rules and must be fixed or face a ban on sales across Europe, the Dutch road authority ruled on Thursday (23 January).
Air pollution-busting ship fuel in climate backlash
New rules aimed at reducing air pollution from shipping may end up worsening the sector’s climate impact, according to new research, which warns that low sulphur fuels could end up producing more climate-bashing emissions, known as black carbon.
Merkel, state leaders agree terms of brown coal exit
Germany has reached an agreement with the regions most affected by a plan to phase out the use of brown coal, or lignite, for its power plants by providing about 40 billion euros ($45 billion) in aid, a document reviewed by Reuters showed.
New cars still way behind in reaching EU emission standards by 2021
While the European Union has set a limit of 95g/km for new vehicles, with one year to go before the deadline, manufacturers are stagnating at 122g/km according to AAA Data. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.
New diesel cars exceed particle limits, tests show
New diesel vehicles are exceeding the limit for particle emissions, European campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E) said on Monday (13 January), calling on EU lawmakers to make emissions testing and regulations stricter.
New clean shipping fuel rules, but who polices the polluters?
Sweeping new fuel rules aiming to cut pollution belching from ships and save lives are now just a couple of weeks away but with no central policing agency and several countries still not signed up to them, compliance is a...
Agricultural emissions: Not enough cash for solutions
European policies on tackling agricultural emissions are insufficient, according to auditors. Although solutions do exist, the cost and time factors often mean farmers are not capable of implementing them.
Cash for clean air: Between unbankable projects and unpopular measures
EU cohesion funding for environmental measures has not been spent as planned and EU member states are reluctant to apply the “no environmental harm” principle. EURACTIV Slovakia reports. “If you think the economy is more important than environment, try holding...
‘Heat our homes, not the planet’: EU clean air forum takes heating to task
Heating’s huge impact on the EU’s air quality and greenhouse gas emissions needs new focus and attention, according to policymakers and activists gathered in Bratislava on Thursday (28 November).
Implementing clean air rules the eternal problem, as EU countries told to raise game
Industry, agriculture and transport were asked to decrease air pollution at a high-level EU forum in Slovakia on clean air but the responsible ministers and new Commissioners were absent from the Bratislava event.
How air quality rules stack up across Europe
Air quality is rapidly becoming more and more of an emotionally-charged subject as the health implications become more explicit. Here is how things stand at both EU and national level.
Polluted air: the invisible killer
The European Environment Agency estimates that 374,000 Europeans die prematurely every year due to air pollution.
EU bank brokers late-night deal to phase out fossil fuels
The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided on Thursday (14 November) to end financial support for fossil fuels from 2021, after marathon talks ended in a compromise that has been hailed as “a significant victory” for green policies.
France loses diesel pollution fight in EU court
The EU's top court ruled on Thursday (24 October) that France has persistently exceeded the threshold limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a polluting gas from diesel motors that causes major health problems.
Velux CEO: ‘If you want the most energy efficient home, live in a cave’
Companies and lawmakers must take more responsibility in helping to solve issues related to buildings, including reducing carbon emissions and improving health standards, according to Velux CEO David Briggs.
1 in 3 children live in unhealthy homes, warns ‘alarming’ report
A third of European children live in damp, cold, dark or noisy homes, according to new findings released last week. Portugal is the worst offender in the EU, with one in two kids exposed to unhealthy conditions.
Buildings and the forgotten 90%
Human beings spend on average 90% of their lives indoors. Buildings are also a huge drain on energy resources and create a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This Special Report looks deeper into the places we live and work.