The EU Parliament today adopted its position in Strasbourg on a revised EU regulation to improve air quality in the EU. The aim of the European Commission’s proposal is to create a clean and healthy environment for European citizens. Negotiations with the Council on the final version of the law can now begin.
363 deputies voted in favor, 226 against and 46 abstained from voting. Among other things, the regulation foresees stricter limits and target values for several pollutants until 2035, including fine dust, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone. The EU regulations are intended to be adapted to the latest air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are also plans to increase the number of measurement points. MEPs propose that all Member States also draw up air quality roadmaps in addition to air quality plans, which are needed if EU countries exceed limits. These are intended to define short- and long-term measures to ensure compliance with the new limit values.
Up to 300,000 premature deaths every year
According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution in Europe continues to pose significant health risks, causing chronic illnesses and premature deaths. Estimates point to 300,000 premature deaths annually in the EU.
“Breathing clean air is a human right and must be available to all Europeans, without exception. Unfortunately, the reality is currently different – air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe,” said SPÖ EU MEP and Environment Committee member Günther Sidl after the vote.
Sidl also addressed the debate in Austria about the air hundred (speed limit to improve air quality): “There is no way around maintaining the current restrictions and making the guidelines more stringent if we want to protect people’s health and the environment in affected regions. If we remove air protection measures, levels will rise and air quality will drastically decline.”