HE 97% of the urban population in the European Union When exposed to air pollution above levels recommended by world Health Organization (WHO). This means that the air that the majority of Europeans breathe every day is of poor quality. A. “invisible killer”caused by emissions from traffic, industry, heating or agriculture, and causes more than one 300,000 premature deaths per year in Europe A long list of diseases such as (25,000 of them in Spain alone, according to the NGO Ecologistas en Acción) asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, or cardiovascular problemsand it continues to happen, as the European Environment Agency (EEA) has repeatedly condemned,”The biggest environmental threat to health“.
For this reason, the European Commission, which holds the legislative initiative in the EU, european machines examine both European air quality directives. “In the Green Deal, we committed to reviewing the standards and bringing them more in line with WHO recommendations. We also committed to strengthening provisions on air quality monitoring, design and planning to help local governments achieve cleaner air, cleaner. And “That’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve done it,” summarizes the Environment Commissioner. Virginijus Sinkeviciusabout a plan we will encounter in the coming months last stretch with Negotiations between two MPs: European Parliament and Council.
In mid-September, the European Parliament adopted the negotiating position, with dissenting votes from the People’s Party, extreme conservatives and the far right. EU governments, on the other hand, are continuing to negotiate a mandate, and although the proposal has been provisionally accepted, there is currently no date for them to be discussed with the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), which is preparing ministers’ meetings. agenda 18 December Environmental Council and intention Spanish presidency of the EU A political agreement must be completed within six months so that tripartite negotiations can be started and concluded before the European elections in May 2024.
A stone on the road
“Everyone is for air quality and cleaner air, but when you talk about how you’re going to achieve that and what you’re going to do, that’s when things get complicated,” he admits. Javi LopezRapporteur and negotiator of the European Parliament responsible for the examination of this regulation. The latest example of how difficult it is to combine the ambition demanded by some with the realistic measures advocated by others is found in the Euro 7 standard, the latest update of the rules. polluting emissions Vehicles and the main cause of air pollution. Although negotiations still need to be held with the European Parliament, governments have chosen to scale back their targets.
The Spanish presidency of the EU aims to reach an agreement this term and have the new law become a reality before the European elections
Despite this setback, this senior MP thinks: Common European Framework In terms of air quality, it offers only advantages and, with the debates surrounding low-emission zones and central Madrid, will help “not make the adoption of measures to improve air quality an uphill battle, as we have experienced in Spain”. It is an extremely “divisive” issue at the national and European level, as confirmed by the avalanche of criticism from the conservative wing, which sees the new rules as an impossible “punishment” and puts too much emphasis on sanctions and not so much on sanctions. incentives.
“As the People’s Party, we are committed to an environmental policy that aligns the fight against climate change with economic growth and the maintenance of the competitiveness of our sector. The proposal we are talking about envisages reducing emissions in a very short period of time, which makes this technically impossible. That is why our parliamentary group voted at the European level “In line with the decision, we do not support this. We are committed to an effective, realistic environmental policy based on scientific evidence.” Spanish PP delegationOn behalf of all MPs.
Czech ultraconservatives agree Alexander Vondra Member of the ECR group, rapporteur and future negotiator of the European Parliament on Euro 7 standards. “I am aware of the consequences for public health. But we must start from the real possibilities. I argue that even if we follow the strictest possible path, it will not be enough for the left.” The regulations “will not lead to an improvement in air quality, but will only lead to pressure for widespread restrictions on free economic activity and an increase in the number of lawsuits brought against Member States.”
Four axes of the plan
Brussels’ proposal revolves around four axes: Creating standards in line with the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), network of best viewing stations, more coherent and clear information about the effects of breathing toxic air and finally strengthen management with a new right that allows citizens claim compensation from official authorities To harm health – also collective actions– caused by poor air quality. All this is being done gradually to give authorities and industry time to prepare and reduce the number of premature deaths from fine particles, the main atmospheric pollutant, by more than 75% within 10 years.
The idea is to lower the permissible European standards from the current 25 μg/m3 to 10 μg/m3 in 2030, twice the 5 μg/m3 recommended by the WHO in 2021. It is a problem that also affects the child population. A recent EEA study shows that pollution causes the deaths of more than 1,200 children under 18 in the EU every year. “Until general air pollution is reduced to a safe level, improving air quality in settings such as schools and nurseries, and during activities such as sports and commuting, can help reduce children’s exposure.” “, they advise.
The EU has multiple options to control the air we breathe 4,000 monitoring stations reporting daily concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and fine particlesIt is much higher in eastern and central European countries and Italy. The European Parliament wants much more; 1 for every 2 million people in urban areas, compared to 1 for every 10 million people in urban areas, and 1 for every 5 people recommended by Brussels. concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP), black carbon, mercury and ammonia (NH3) are produced. It also calls for national roadmaps with short- and long-term measures and increased monitoring near hospitals and schools; But it also includes postponing the strictest borders to 2035, five years later than Brussels proposed. particles (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) And ozone (O3)levels also exceed WHO standards.
Where will it be friction points In the last negotiation? The person responsible for finding the balance on behalf of MEPs has no doubt: “As for standards, sanctions and access to compensation and compensation so that citizens can claim compensation from public authorities for quality-related impacts, the European Commission and the European Union Parliament support this, but the Council, which does not yet have the authority this will not be safe,” predicts Javi López.
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.