Communication on a Clean Air Programme for Europe

Europe's air quality has improved markedly in recent decades but air pollution remains the principal environmental factor linked to preventable illness and premature mortality in the EU and still has significant negative effects on much of Europe's natural environment. Whilst the EU's air quality standards still lag behind those of other developed nations, compliance with some of these has been challenging for a variety of reasons.

This new strategy tackles the reasons for the widespread non-compliance. It also proposes legislation to reduce harmful emissions in the longer term which contribute to poor air quality and damage the natural environment. In addition, it will promote measures which also mitigate atmospheric warming and climate change. The timelines for the emission reductions are fully consistent with the new 2030 framework for climate and energy policy which will allow investors to maximise the synergies of their investments.

This Communication is accompanied by three legislative proposals:
+ Proposal for a Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants
+ Proposal for a Decision on the acceptance of the Amendment to the 1999 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone
+ Proposal for a Directive on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: SWD(2013)531: Impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2013:531:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2013)532: Executive summary of the impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2013:532:FIN

ESO: Environment: New policy package to clean up Europe's air http://www.europeansources.info/record/environment-new-policy-package-to-clean-up-europes-air/

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