This survey on air quality will provide information on the implementation at regional and local
level of the EU Air quality policy. The information will be taken into account by the European
Committee of the Regions (CoR) and by its Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy
(ENVE) for future discussions and activities on this topic. The ENVE work programme for 2019
states:
Air Quality was included as a topic for the new Network of Regional Hubs for EU Policy
Implementation Review (RegHub) - Pilot project. ENVE will assess potential connections with
the ongoing fitness check of the Ambient Air Quality directives and the feasibility of an
opinion on this topic.
Air quality has improved in the European Union (EU) over the last decades, thanks to joint efforts by the EU and the national, regional and local authorities. However, in most Member States, the quality of life of EU citizens remains hampered, as air quality standards are still not being met. The situation is especially severe in urban areas, where a majority of Europeans live. This Communication sets out wide-ranging policy efforts of the EU to support and facilitate the necessary measures of the Member States to meet their targets, and the enforcement action being taken to help ensure that the common objective of clean air for all Europeans is achieved and maintained across the EU.
The maps reflect the air quality zones as reported for the year 2014 and the relevant stations that have reported data to the European Comission for years 2013 to 2014.
Air pollution is the number one environmental cause of premature death in the European Union. The European Commission is committed to addressing these issues, and to cleaning up Europe’s air. The First European Clean Air Forum, organised by the European Commission and held in Paris on 16 and 17 November 2017, brought together a wide variety of stakeholders for a panoramic view of the current situation. This two-day event, which included the launch of the European Air Quality Index, showcased Europe’s ambitions and sought solutions to ongoing problems through structured dialogues, knowledge and information exchanges, and the sharing of good practices.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/pdf/clean-air-forum-report-web-20180110.pdf
The EIR is a tool to improve implementation of EU environmental law and policy. It aims to address the causes of implementation gaps and try to find solutions before problems become urgent. The EIR is a two-yearly cycle of analysis, dialogue and collaboration, with publication of country reports and discussions between the European Commission, EU Member States and stakeholders.
The European Commission published on 5 April 2019 the second Environment Implementation Review (EIR), an overview of how EU environmental policies and laws are applied on the ground. In the following map you can find the country reports and factsheets in English and in the official languages of the EU Members States.
European Union has put in place a broad range of environmental legislation. As a result, air,
water and soil pollution has significantly been reduced. Today, EU citizens enjoy some of the
best water quality in the world and over 18% of EU's territory has been designated as protected
areas for nature. However, many challenges persist and these must be tackled together in a
structured way.
The 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) will be guiding European environment policy
until 2020. The objectives of this programme are: (1) to protect, conserve and enhance the
Union’s natural capital; (2) to turn the Union into a resource-efficient, green, and competitive
low-carbon economy; (3) 3to safeguard the Union's citizens from environment-related pressures
and risks to health and wellbeing.
This directive establishes air quality objectives, including ambitious, cost-effective targets for improving human health and environmental quality up to 2020. It also specifies ways of assessing these and of taking any corrective action if the standards are not met. It provides for the public to be kept informed.
This directive aims to reduce the health risks and environmental impact of air pollution by establishing national emission reduction commitments. It also aligns emission reduction commitments under EU law with international commitments.
It sets out rules to halt deterioration in the status of European Union (EU) water bodies and achieve ‘good status’ for Europe's rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015. Specifically, this includes: protecting all forms of water (surface, ground, inland and transitional); restoring the ecosystems in and around these bodies of water; reducing pollution in water bodies; guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses.
This directive seeks to contribute to ensuring biodiversity in the European Union by the conservation of: natural habitats, and wild fauna and flora species. And It also sets up the ‘Natura 2000’ network, the largest ecological network in the world. Natura 2000 comprises special areas of conservation designated by EU countries under this directive. Natura 2000 also includes the special protection areas classified under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC).
Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe, but how clean is the air you’re breathing right now? How does the air in your city compare with that of a neighbouring city or region? The European Environment Agency's European Air Quality Index allows users to understand more about air quality where they live and compare with that of a neighbouring city or region.
Air pollution is not the same everywhere. Different pollutants are released into the atmosphere from a wide range of sources, including industry, transport, agriculture, management and households. Certain air pollutants are also released from natural source.
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