Air Pollution
Will the Empire strike back in the next Dieselgate fight?
The battle over the EU's response to the Dieselgate scandal is drawing to a close. It pits the rebels advocating for more effective controls (the European Commission and Parliament) against the regressive forces of the Empire (some national governments and the car industry), writes Julia Poliscanova.
EU pollutant limits threaten large-scale coal plants, says new report
Stricter European Union pollutant limits could lead to costly upgrades or the closure of one third of Europe's large-scale coal power plant capacity, a new report showed today (8 May).
EU clears tighter controls on power plant air pollution
The European Union on 28 April approved new air pollution limits, which could save over 20,000 lives annually through the reduction of pollution from power plants, specifically those which are coal-fired.
Germany opposes key EU car emission test reforms
Germany is opposing key elements of a European Union proposal to overhaul how car engine emissions are tested for pollution, a document seen by Reuters showed, as Brussels attempts to prevent a repeat of the Volkswagen emissions scandal.
Air pollution as bad for wellbeing as partner’s death, say researchers
The effect on wellbeing of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a gas mostly produced in diesel fumes, is comparable to the toll from losing a job, ending a relationship or the death of a partner, research suggests.
NGOs urge UK to approve EU anti-pollution rules
Environmental NGOs rallied together, urging the British government to vote in support of new EU industrial pollution rules that could save thousands of lives every year today (12 April).
A healthy environment means healthy citizens and a more vibrant EU
Europeans have some of the highest rates of anxiety, depression and other non-infectious diseases in the world. Today, on World Health Day, nature is an overlooked remedy, argues Magda Stoczkiewicz.
Rethinking the cost of conventionally fueled road transport
If the human health costs from air pollution were to be accounted and paid for by the fossil car industry, we would see the price tag of conventional cars double, writes Teodora Serafimova.
Only healthier diets can tackle climate change, experts claim
Governments are “trapped” by lobbyists, and it’s hard to fight climate change. But if young people are mobilised and turn to healthy lifestyles, there is hope, according to scientists. EURACTIV.com reports from Lyon.
Norway spearheads Europe’s electric vehicle surge
European electromobility is beginning to take off. The targets set by the Paris climate deal depend on it. The EU’s Nordic neighbour, Norway, is showing the rest of Europe the way forward. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
Air pollution forces Barcelona to ban old cars from roads
Barcelona will ban cars that are older than 20 years from the roads during the week to cut traffic emissions by 30% over 15 years. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
EU ministers likely to oppose EU carbon market regulation of shipping
European Union member states are likely to oppose the regulation of shipping in draft reforms to the bloc’s carbon market.
Five countries face fines after breaking EU pollution laws
The European Commission threatened legal action against France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK after they failed to protect their citizens’ health against dangerous levels of air pollution.
Cargo companies call for shipping to be regulated by EU’s emissions trading market
European cargo companies have backed plans to regulate shipping under the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), the world’s largest carbon market and one of the bloc’s flagship policies to fight climate change.
EU auditors join fight against deadly air pollution
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) will investigate the fight against air pollution, which kills half a million European citizens every year, the court announced on Friday (10 February).
Smog-plagued Poland tries to escape tag as ‘Europe’s China’
Poland’s government has finally promised action after air pollution provoked the ire of the general public. However, Marek Józefiak wonders if Warsaw will dare to take action that will affect their coal-centred vision of economy.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix Dieselgate
To restore consumer trust, the European Parliament must agree an overhaul of EU rules for approving and checking a vehicle’s performance. It is now or never, writes Monique Goyens.
23 EU countries are breaking European air quality laws
European air quality laws are being flouted in more than 130 cities across 23 of the 28 EU member states, the European Commission said yesterday (6 February).
Smog chokes coal-addicted Poland
The soupy grey smog shrouding Polish cities this winter is one of the most visible symptoms of the EU member's addiction to coal, a deadly habit forcing many to stay indoors or don masks before venturing out.
France unveils packed 2017 environmental research programme
The French environmental safety agency this week unveiled its packed 2017 agenda, including investigations into the health effects of pesticides and wind turbines, the effectiveness of anti-pollution masks and alternatives to neonicotinoids. Euractiv’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
From green bonds to solar roads: France’s low-carbon revolution is taking shape
History was made in France a little over a year ago when national delegates from across the world agreed on a landmark climate deal. With the Paris Agreement now ratified, the host nation is introducing a plethora of fresh green legislation. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
The EU finally has new air pollution rules – now, let’s enforce them
EU governments have been too weak on air pollution. Brussels must step in to ensure member states protect their citizens, writes Louise Duprez.
VW says ‘defeat device’ in conformity with European law
Volkswagen said the software allowing its diesel vehicles to evade emissions rules does not violate European law, as the carmaker aims to toughen its legal defenses in view of a possible rise in compensation claims in its home region.
Merkel rebuffs German minister’s call to step into climate dispute
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday (2 November) rejected a call from her environment minister to intervene in a dispute over how to curb CO2 emissions that has prompted her cabinet to delay approving a climate action plan.
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