European Symposium on Air Quality, Noise and Health Effects on Urban Agglomerations

Barcelona, 5 June 2015

Andre Zuber Environment Directorate-General

European Commission

Significant air quality problems remain

PM10 NO2

O3 eutrophication

Major pollution episodes across Europe

3

CARDIFF, MARCH 2015.

PARIS, MARCH 2015

EU limit values

WHO guidelines

EU urban population exposed to harmful levels of air pollution

Why are we in this position?

• - Lack of political attention

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• - Lack of coherent and coordinated action in Member States

• - No cooperation between Member States

• - Lack of capacity and competence (at the appropriate level)

Looking for solutions A strong air policy framework

At international level

• UN ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and its Protocols (e.g. the Gothenburg Protocol

At EU level

• STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution (2005) and Clean Air Policy Package (2013)

• EMISSION CAPS: The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD)

• LOCAL AIR QUALITY LIMITS: The Ambient Air Quality Directives

• SOURCE-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION: the Industrial Emissions Directive, Euro standards, energy efficiency and fuel quality standards etc

At national level

• National and local legislation and instruments

• Abatement action needed now on

• An effective implementation of current legislation (EURO 6, IED, Eco-design …)

• Adoption of the Clean Air Policy Package (NEC D, MCP, GP)

• Ensure coherence with other policy areas (transport, energy and climate) – both at EU level and in MSs

• International cooperation

• Explore synergies, win-win and no-regret measures

Looking for solutions Take immediate action

• Analysis, cooperation and coordination

• European Clean Air Forum

• Air Quality Country Analyses and Outlooks

• Communication of all the experience and tools

• Improved tools for IAM and CBA (WHO update of Global guidelines, improved data from MS on AQ/EI

• MS EU cooperation and coordination

Looking for solutions Needs up to 2020

• Share your good experiences with others

• Engage with partners in taking action

• Make it happen

Summing up