Brussels: In a landmark decision on Wednesday, the European Parliament endorsed stringent legally-binding air pollution standards, slated for compliance by 2030.
Why It’s Imporatnt
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised its air quality benchmarks, aiming to propel nations towards cleaner energy sources and curtail fatalities stemming from polluted air. Annually, air pollution is accountable for a staggering 300,000 premature deaths across Europe alone. EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius underscored the potential of the tougher regulations to slash this toll by 70% within the coming decade.
While Europe has witnessed some improvement in air quality over the past ten years, persistent breaches of EU limits have resulted in legal actions against more than ten countries, including France, Poland, Italy, and Romania, by the European Court of Justice.
How It Works
The accord reached between EU member states and the Parliament establishes stricter limits and target values for several pollutants known to have a grave impact on human health by 2030. Additionally, the new regulations aim to render the currently fragmented air quality indices uniform, transparent, and readily accessible throughout the EU.
Under the new legislation, individuals adversely affected by air pollution will have recourse to legal measures if national standards are violated, potentially resulting in compensation for those whose health has suffered.
Key Qoute
“This is a law which will protect public health and the health of our citizens, because we know that clean air is not a luxury at all. It’s a right that we should be guaranteeing,” emphasized Javi Lopez, a Spanish Member of the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the Parliament.
What’s Next
With a decisive majority of 381 votes in favor, 225 against, and 17 abstentions, the EU Parliament has greenlit the legislation. The final step involves approval from EU member states, typically a procedural formality that endorses laws without amendments.
