Air Quality
European air quality improves but still detrimental to health
Air quality has improved significantly across Europe over the past 10 years, but pollution still contributes to significant numbers of premature deaths, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Air pollution fell, plastic use soared during Europe lockdowns
Coronavirus lockdowns in Europe have led to some environmental improvements such as better air quality and lower carbon emissions, but they are temporary and coupled with a surge in single-use plastic, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said Thursday (5 November).
Aircraft air quality and transport’s virus-risk in focus
Air quality on flights is due to improve if the European Union agrees to back new safety standards. The fresh push for cleaner air comes as transport companies struggle to convince passengers their services are low risk in the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.
EU strategy is failing to tackle the biggest methane emitter: agriculture
No reduction targets, no mandatory actions to cut methane emissions at farm level, no coherence with existing climate and air quality objectives: these are some reasons why the European Commission’s Methane Strategy will fall short, writes Margherita Tolotto.
Polish children exposed to four times more pollution than French, study finds
Polish children are significantly more exposed to air pollution than French children, research by the University of Hasselt in Belgium has found.
In EU, 1 in 8 deaths linked to pollution: report
In the EU, 13 percent of deaths are linked to pollution, said a new report published on Tuesday (8 September) by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which stressed the current pandemic put environmental health factors in the spotlight.
Greater EU powers to catch and fine emissions cheats kick in
New EU rules on monitoring the vehicles on Europe’s roads come into force on Tuesday (1 September), granting the European Commission added powers to police car emissions and take to task any manufacturers that breach the law.
A roadmap to cut shipping emissions in the Mediterranean
An emission control area for sulphur oxides in the Mediterranean is not a panacea, but it would open new possibilities for the region’s future while contributing to its health, writes Gaetano Leone.
Europe’s car emissions spiked again in 2019, warn new stats
Europe's average CO2 emissions from passenger cars increased again in 2019, according to the EU's environment agency, marking the third consecutive year that the statistics have trended upwards.
Number of German cities with poor air quality more than halved in 2019
Air quality in Germany is getting better. Last year, only 25 instead of 57 cities exceeded the limit values for nitrogen dioxide. However, experts are warning this is based on short-term effects and suggest now is the time to rethink transport. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Lifting the haze: Why air pollution action doesn’t stop at cars
As Germany faces a national lawsuit on air pollution, Ugo Taddei asks: should other countries worry?
Car emissions spike, as countries plan ‘cash for clunkers’ redux
Europe’s average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans increased again in 2018, according to data released on Wednesday (3 June) by the EU’s environment agency. National plans aimed at stimulating the sector could worsen those figures further.
Germany’s top court says VW must pay damages to customers
Germany's highest court ruled on Monday (25 May) that Volkswagen must pay damages to plaintiffs in the diesel emissions scandal, who can now demand a refund of the purchase price. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Four cities call for multi-billion-euro clean bus fund
The European Commission has been urged by to set up a multi-billion euro grant scheme for zero-emission buses and to help cities build new cycle paths, as part of the EU’s coronavirus recovery package.
How to keep cities pollution-free after virus lockdowns lift
As authorities across Europe prepare for a stepwise lift of coronavirus lockdown measures, they are facing a make-or-break moment for urban mobility. Yoann Le Petit details four proven strategies that should keep cities free of pollution as normality starts to return.
Europe should not give cruising a blank cheque
The US has shut out the cruise industry from its $2 trillion pot of bailout money but in Europe, everything is still up for grabs. It should not be given a blank cheque, writes Sönke Diesener.
VW set for Dieselgate legal showdown
Germany's main court for civil and criminal matters will hear a diesel emissions scandal case for the first time next week. The ruling is expected the same day and it could impact proceedings across Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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.