Experts plot clean-up of Europe’s dirty air

Date: 03/11/05

Experts meeting in Brussels on 8 November will thrash out ways of tackling the problem of urban pollution in European cities, as member states struggle to meet EU air quality targets.

Officials from the EU institutions, regional authorities and lobby groups will debate national approaches to fighting air pollution at a conference hosted by the Brussels city authority and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).

EU legislation sets standards for urban emissions of pollutants such as coarse particles (PM10), which have been linked to breathing difficulties and even death. Italy exceeded its PM10 limits in February this year and has since been joined by several more member states including Germany and Hungary.

A directive proposed by the Commission in September also suggested targets for fine particles (PM2.5).

A major source of air pollutants is traffic. A proposal setting new tough standards for car emissions of particles and other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), is expected by the end of the year.

European cities have tried various ways of combating the problem, from holding car-free days and encouraging the use of bikes, to tax breaks for cleaner mopeds in Italy.

But conference speaker Annick Meurrens of the Brussels Environment Institute (IBGE) praised the Brussels air-climate plan because it focused on all sectors, including industry and households, rather than just transport. But she added that the plan would have to be revised to meet EU standards, particularly for particles and NOx.

Kerstin Meyer of the EEB said member states were frustrated by the lack of guidance on how to meet air quality standards. "A lot of people are very interested in looking for the best ideas from other places," Meyer said.

The EEB will present its own findings so far on different air pollution tactics across the EU at the November conference. Experience from a European Commission-funded project Citeair will also be discussed. Citeair is led by towns in France, Italy, the UK and the Czech Republic.

Preview of the 'Air and City in Brussels and Europe' conference, hosted by Brussels city authority and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), 8 November 2005. The event was to bring together officials from the EU institutions, regional authorities and lobby groups to debate national approaches to fighting air pollution.

• Primary Source

EEB: Activities: Air: Conference 'Air and City in Brussels and Europe', 8.11.05 http://www.eeb.org/activities/air/EEB-015-05_EN_Prog.pdf

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