About: air quality

An EU anti-smog fund for Poland

Poland has some of the worst air quality in the EU. But fighting smog is expensive. The Modernisation Fund set up as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme could help here, writes Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera.

Bulgarians denied a say on air pollution

While Bulgaria hosted a forum on Eco-innovation for air quality this week, its citizens are denied the right to clean air. Bulgaria has some of the dirtiest in Europe, yet its citizens are not allowed to go to court and claim their right to clean air, warns Ugo Taddei.

Our own homes are making us sick: Energy efficiency is part of the cure

Given that we spend 90% of our time indoors, the quality of our homes, schools and workplaces is a critical public health issue. Growing evidence shows that the efficiency and design of our buildings is an even bigger public health issue than previously thought, warns Mikaela Odemyr.

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.

Delivering the promise of air quality

This week London new Mayor Sadiq Khan unveiled his plans to tackle air pollution in the city. Autogas can bring the fast, cost-effective changes that cities like London so desperately need, writes  Cécile Nourigat.

Why do some countries block action on air pollution rather than save lives?

Air pollution causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year and costs up to 9% of EU GDP. Stalling on improving air quality is both dangerous and economically foolish, writes Louise Duprez.

Let’s get real with car emissions

We are doing our bit to protect air quality in our cities, but real improvements will only come with tougher emissions standards, writes Anna Lisa Boni.

Air quality at a crossroads

Improving the EU’s poor air quality requires stricter regulation and significant investment. But the long term health benefits must outweigh financial concerns, argues Bert Brunekreef.

Let’s tackle air pollution at all levels, starting now with the NEC Directive

The European Parliament’s environment committee should be ambitious when it votes on the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive next week, write Lot van Hooijdonk and Karen Vancluysen.

Diesel machines need the cleanest technology to relieve our choking cities

Implementing consistent emissions standards for all diesel engines would push manufacturers to use the best available technology and improve the EU's air quality, argues François Cuenot.

The last emperor of GDP

Gross Domestic Product is a measure of the size of a country's economy. It represents the value of all goods and services produced over a specific period of time, with year-on-year growth generally considered a sign of good economic health, writes Éloi Laurent.

Cleaner air in our cities

The European Commission’s air quality package is an opportunity to improve the liveability and competitiveness of Europe’s cities. The European Parliament and the Council must seize it, writes James McKay.

New roadworthiness rules must require effective, independent and periodic tailpipe testing

A trilogue this Monday (9 December) will consider new roadworthiness regulations. It is imperative that a proposal to start testing lorries using their on-board controls, rather than testing vehicles at their tailpipes, must be rejected, argues Simon Birkett.

The three paradoxes of air quality

Air pollution is a silent killer, especially the smallest dust particles which may take years and years of chronic exposure to show their deadly effects on human health. But this is just one of the three paradoxes of air quality, says Myriam Tryjefaczka, from Camfil Farr, a Swedish company manufacturing ventilation and air filtering systems.

Commentary: Dorette Corbey MEP on air-quality directive

Corbey clarifies the Parliament's position on the air quality directive.