Air Quality in the EU
In March 2021, Parliament adopted the ENVI Committee’s implementation report of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (Directives 2008/50 & 2004/107), calling on the Commission to adopt more ambitious air quality standards. Clean air is essential to human health and a healthy environment, providing many economic and social benefits. The scientific evidence of harmful effects of air pollution is well established and robust, and points to a clear need for action.
On 29 November 2019, the Commission published the results of the fitness check of the Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) Directives, concluding that they have been only partially effective in improving air quality and that not all their objectives have been met to date. On 4 March 2021 the ENVI Committee adopted its implementation report on the AAQ directives. The report was adopted in Plenary on 25 March 2021, with 425 votes in favour, 109 against and 153 abstentions.
The report calls on the Commission to establish a set of minimum requirements for the implementation of air quality plans. This Parliament text sent a strong signal to the Commission that urgent action is needed. Especially as the report was adopted right before adoption by the Commission of the Zero Pollution Action Plan for water, air, and soil, on 12 May 2021, an important element of the European Green Deal. Implementing Parliament's recommendations and the EU action plan will be crucial to improve air quality in the Union.
Rapporteur
Javi LOPEZ (S&D)
Shadow Rapporteurs: Norbert LINS (EPP), Frédérique RIES (Renew), Sylvia LIMMER (ID), Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA), Anna ZALEWSKA (ECR), João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL)