Air Quality
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.
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.